The 24 Best Sulfate-Free Shampoos and Conditioners

If that’s not enough to convince you, celebrity hairstylist Ben Talbott also has a bit more bad news when it comes to sulfates: They can affect your skin. “Exposure to sulfates in high concentrations or for a prolonged period of time can irritate the skin’s natural barrier, especially if your skin is on the sensitive side,” he says. “They’re often contained in products used to clean car engines when they get greased up or to get our dishes squeaky clean, so it’s easy to imagine why they can be too harsh for your hair.” 

Yikes. As I’m sure most of us would not like ingredients used to clean car engines in our hair, there are (luckily) plenty of other options out there that are sulfate-free. Below, find both Rubin’s and Talbott’s recommendations for the best sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners.