5 Sulfate-Free Shampoos That Won’t Dry Out Your Natural Hair

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I’ll let you in on a secret: shampoo is not the devil. I know, I know. If you’re a fellow naturalista you’ve probably been told countless times about the horrors of shampoos and how they dry out your hair. You might only shampoo once a month to get rid of product buildup, or if you were really spooked, you might have done away with shampoo completely! Many naturals opt for co-washes instead of traditional shampoos to cleanse their hair and scalp because they’re afraid of losing the moisture from sebum or natural oils. The truth is, shampoo can actually be your friend if you know what to look for! While conditioners and co-washes are great for detangling and gentle cleansing, they may not always be heavy-duty enough to clarify your hair of the thick and rich styling products we’re piling on. Consider working a moisture-friendly shampoo into your weekly or biweekly regimen to keep hair clean and hydrated. Click through our gallery to find 5 shampoos that won’t dry out your hair!

CRÈME OF NATURE MOISTURE & SHINE SHAMPOO WITH ARGAN OIL

Let’s start with my holy grail shampoo, the Moisture & Shine Shampoo with Argan Oil by Crème of Nature ($4.99, target.com). This is by far my favorite shampoo for clarifying heavy butters, creams, and gels from my thick hair. I’m a wash and go girl, and I like to stretch my styles over the course of a week. This sulfate-free is tough enough to get out the yucky stuff but gentle enough to cleanse without leaving me feeling stripped or brittle. Also, this was the shampoo I used when my hair was colored fire-engine red, and it was the best option for preserving my color between washes.

TGIN MOISTURE RICH SULFATE FREE SHAMPOO

Another staple of mine is the Moisture Rich Sulfate Free Shampoo from TGIN ($14.99, cvs.com). Thank God It’s Natural has been bringing us natural hair bangers for years now, and this shampoo is no different. Amla fruit extract and coconut oil give this shampoo its moisture, and the gentle cleanser works up to a rich lather to get rid of all the gunk building up on your scalp. My favorite part about this shampoo is that it actually has slip. Yes, slip. I don’t recommend detangling with a shampoo, but I love that this option allows me to work through obvious knots even before I apply my detangling conditioner. This one is a winner in my book.

SHEA MOISTURE JAMAICAN BLACK CASTOR OIL STRENGTHEN & RESTORE SHAMPOO

This one is for my chemically processed or heat-happy girls who require even more moisture. Try the SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Shampoo ($8.62, ulta.com). Made with shea butter and peppermint, this shampoo is a treat for the tresses as well as the scalp, and is sulfate free and color safe. Jamaican Black Castor Oil is a thick oil perfect for locking in moisture. The shampoo also contains apple cider vinegar, which has amazing clarifying benefits of its own for the skin and hair. Give this one a try.

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CURLS THE GREEN COLLECTION SEA KELP CURL CLEANSER

Finally, we have a new addition to my happy, healthy haircare family, the Sea Kelp Curl Cleanser from Curls ($15.00, curls.biz). From Curls’ new vegan line, The Green Collection, this all-natural shampoo gives my holy grail a run for its money. Designed to target dry, itchy scalp and vitamin-deprived hair, this curl cleanser builds up into a nice lather that gets the job done. It contains Sea Kelp for a natural source of vitamins A, B1, B2, C, D, and E, as well as minerals to promote hydration, hair growth, and scalp healing.

Have you tried any of these natural hair-friendly shampoos? Leave a comment below!