Silicone Free vs Sulfate Free Shampoo (Major Differences)

There is no doubt in the fact that the best way you can keep your hair healthy is by using the best shampoo for your hair.

There are numerous shampoo products some of which are good while some will leave your hair in worse condition especially those with sulfate and silicone.

In such a case, I recommend that you go for either sulfate-free or silicone-free shampoo to be on the safe side.

If you are deciding between sulfate-free shampoo and silicone-free shampoo, there are some things you should know. Thus, this article is set to do a thorough justification of sulfate free vs silicone-free shampoo so you will know which one is better for you.

The major difference between the two shampoos is that one does not contain sulfates and the other does not contain Silicon.

Sulfates are chemicals which helps clean the hair by removing dirt and excess oil but could be too harsh on your scalp. Silicone on the other hand are chemicals used to make hair sleek and smooth but could lead to hair flaking, dryness, and itching.

ALSO READ: 20 Best Oily Scalp Shampoo

Other Differences: Sulfate Free Vs Silicone Free Shampoo

Both Silicone free and Sulfate free shampoos are good types of shampoo that are recommended for your hair because they do not contain toxic chemicals that can be a threat to your hair. However, they are different in their purposes and how they help your hair.

1. Function

The sulfate-free shampoo is good for helping your hair gets cleaned without damaging its natural protective barrier. While silicone-free shampoo protects your hair against the harmful effects of hair dryers and the sun’s effects by making it stronger.

If you’re looking for a shampoo that will leave your hair clean without stripping it of its natural oils, we recommend trying a sulfate-free shampoo. But if you want to give your hair a sleek, and smooth appearance without using any harsh chemicals, then sulfate-free shampoo is the best option.

2. Formulations

Sulfate-free shampoo is a type of hair product that contains no sulfates, an ingredient that removes dirt and oil from the hair, but they can also cause damage to the hair by stripping it of essential oils and nutrients.

The silicone-free shampoo is not necessarily sulfate-free, but it does not contain silicones. Silicones are ingredients that help to smooth the hair and give it a healthy shine.

Also, don’t contain any silicone ingredients while sulfate-free shampoos can contain some amount of sodium Laureth sulfate, which is a common cleanser found in both sulfate-free and standard shampoos.

All You Need to Know About Silicone-Free Shampoo

The silicone-free shampoo as described above is a type of product that contains no silicone: the ingredient is typically used to give hair a smooth, silky feel and appearance, as well as to keep your hair from getting frizzy and tangled.

However, some people may have an allergic reaction to silicones or just prefer not to use them for other reasons.

If you have fine hair, you might prefer silicone-free shampoos because they will give your hair more volume instead of weighing it down and do not include harsh chemicals. Silicone-free products can also be used on color-treated hair as they are less likely to cause build-up on the strands.

However, your hair is not totally safe because you are using a silicone-free shampoo that does not contain any silicone, but it may still contain other ingredients that can cause build-up on your scalp or hair. Therefore, it is important to use the product correctly and follow up with a conditioner or deep conditioning treatment if necessary

4 Reasons to Try Out Silicone-Free Shampoo

Now that you know that Silicone-free shampoo is a safer option for your hair, here are the ways it works to balance out the moisture levels in your hair and also help in preventing split ends and other damage caused by styling tools such as blow dryers and straighteners, etc.

1. It protects your hair from damage

Silicone-free shampoos are formulated with ingredients that moisturize and protect your hair from these damaging elements such as blow dryers environmental factors, sun or straighteners, etc. It also makes your hair smooth and shiny without weighing them down as conventional shampoos do.

2. It does not include harmful chemicals

Silicone-free shampoo works to protect your hair by not using any silicones or other chemicals that can make your hair stiff and dry out. It has no sulfates, parabens, or dyes. Therefore, it is safe for color-treated hair, as it does not fade the color.

3. It makes your hair strong

Another reason you should try is that silicone-free shampoo will help keep your hair healthy and strong. It will add volume and bounce back into your hair if you have been using a harsh detergent on it.

4 It safe for your hair

Silicone-free shampoos are great for people with curly hair because they won’t make it frizzy as regular shampoos do. Silicone-free shampoos don’t contain any silicone so they won’t weigh down your curls or make them look greasy like some other types of shampoo do.

ALSO READ: 10 Best Biotin Shampoo and Conditioners for All Kinds of Hair

All You Need to Know About Sulfate-Free Shampoo

Sulfate-free shampoo is a type of shampoo that has been formulated to remove dirt and oil from your hair without the use of sulfates. Sulfates are ingredients found in many shampoos, body washes, and other personal care products that are used to create a lather when you wash your hair.

Sulfate-free shampoo is a relatively new concept for many people. In fact, not everyone knows what sulfate is or why it’s important to avoid them when you wash your hair.

So what exactly is a sulfate? Sulfate is an ingredient that can be used as a detergent or cleaning agent in products like soaps, detergents, and even shampoos and body washes. The most common sulfates used in these products are sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium.

ALSO READ: Sulfate-Free Shampoos (The Pros and Cons)

4 Reasons to Try Out Sulfate-Free Shampoo

If you want to consider using sulfate shampoo for your hair, the following are the reasons why it is good for your hair.

1. It is Gentler

One reason Sulfate-free shampoo is good for your hair is that it is gentler on your hair and your scalp. It doesn’t contain these chemicals but natural ingredients like aloe vera or even apple cider vinegar in order to cleanse your hair without damaging it.

2. It hydrates hair

If you have particularly dry or damaged hair that needs extra hydration, you will benefit from using a sulfate-free shampoo. However, even if you don’t have super dry hair, there are still plenty of reasons to consider switching over to sulfate-free products.

3. It is ideal for sensitive scalp

The sulfate-free shampoo contains no sulfates or harsh detergents, which makes them ideal for people with dry scalps or sensitive skin. These products are also less likely to cause a reaction from those who are allergic to sulfates.

4. It keeps hair healthy

Sulfate-free shampoo is better for your hair because it doesn’t strip your hair of its natural oils and vitamins which help to keep your hair healthy, unlike the sulfate ingredient that tends to leave your hair in a bad condition.

Which Is Better: Sulfate-Free Or Silicone-Free Shampoo?

This answer is dependent on your hair goal. If are working towards achieving thick and sleek hair or if you want your hair to be less greasy, the silicone-free shampoo will be a better option.

However, some people prefer sulfate-free shampoos because they do not lather as much, which means they do not strip away important oils from the scalp like other types of shampoos do.

ALSO READ: Tresemme Vs Aussie: Which One is Good for Hair?

How to Identify Silicone and Sulfate-Free Shampoo

The first and most effective way to know if your shampoo is sulfate or silicone free is by checking the product description. It is usually written together with the product name. However, in some cases, you will need to carefully check product ingredients.

Check the ingredients list on the bottle or tube of shampoo. If there’s no sulfate listed before washing agents such as sodium Laureth sulfate (SLES), sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES), ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS), ammonium laureth sulfate (ALS), or Cocamidopropyl betaine, then it’s most likely to be sulfate free.

The easiest way to tell if a shampoo is silicone-free is by looking at the ingredient list. If you see “dimethicone” or “Cyclomethicone,” it contains silicones and you should avoid it. Other ingredients to watch out for include: Dimethicone  or anything that ends in “-cone.”

Conclusion

In nutshell, both Silicone free and sulfate-free shampoos are safe for your hair because they don’t contain harsh chemicals which might affect your hair. However, the decision of which one you should use is dependent on the condition of your hair and your goals.

If you are aiming to thicken and enhance your hair texture, the silicone-free shampoo will be the best option. But if you want to repair and keep your hair healthy, then sulfate free shampoo is better.