SULFATES: WHAT ARE THEY AND SHOULD I BE WORRIED?
Regardless of the type of soap or shampoo you are using, you’ve likely heard of the term sulfates in the past few years. Sulfates are controversial ingredients that are known as surfactants and are primarily used in beauty and personal care products like lip balm, shampoo, and toothpaste.
But the question remains – what are sulfates and should I be worried about them? Before we begin, let us start out by saying that Routine Shampoo and Routine Conditioner do not contain sulfates. In fact, sulfates are an ingredient we’ve actively chosen to avoid in all of our products.
WHAT ARE SULFATES?
Sulfates are a class of surfactants, which are commonly used in beauty products. The term “surfactants” is a fancy way of saying cleansers or detergents. Sulfates refers to a group of surfactants that includes the notorious sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate, which are often listed as the first or second ingredient in soaps and shampoos.
WHAT DO SURFACTANTS DO?
The aim of any good surfactant is to attract and remove dirt, oil, and bacteria from the surface they are placed upon. If you suds up with any shampoo – whether or not it contains a sulfate – the shampoo should effectively strip away any excess product buildup and oil from your strands and leave you with a clean scalp and head of hair.
SHOULD I AVOID SULFATES?
Not all surfactants are created equal. In fact, while surfactants are a necessary part of any shampoo, sulfates are not.
Sulfates can be dangerous for two reasons. First, sulfates can be too good at their job. If you wash your hair with a shampoo that contains sulfates, the shampoo can strip away not just the excess oil on your hair and scalp, but even the necessary oil. These necessary oils are needed to create a balanced scalp microbiome, and stripping them away can lead to dry and frizzy hair. In addition, if you have color-treated hair, sulfates can be even more damaging. Dyed hair is already more vulnerable as a result of the coloring process, and so sulfates can do extra damage by stripping away the color and vibrant hue of your hair. This often leads to premature fading and dryness.
Routine Wellness products are sulfate free, meaning they are made without any type of sulfate. They are also made without parabens, phthalates, or artificial dyes. Instead of using sulfates, we use a blend of plant-based surfactants that are gentle and effective. Our goal is to enrich our formulas with enough surfactants to cleanse your scalp and hair without stripping away the vital moisture you need. In addition, our products are color safe.
