This article was originally published on May 1 and has been updated to include more detail on sodium lauryl sulfate in common shampoos.
Many hair products boast hydrating, thickening benefits, including shampoos. If you struggle with dry, thinning hair, you may have tried a myriad of different solutions that haven’t been doing the trick. As it turns out, the answer might not lie in adding new ingredients to your hair—your solution could be to cut one certain ingredient (that is commonly found in many shampoos) out of your routine. To get down to the bottom of things, we spoke to Ghanima Abdullah, hair expert and cosmetologist at The Right Hairstyles. Abdullah told us there’s one shampoo ingredient that you should never use, especially if you struggle with dry, thinning hair: sulfates.
Sulfate Shampoos
Abdullah says the worst shampoo ingredient you could possibly use on dry or thinning hair is any sort of sulfate. "That includes sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate," she notes.
Although sulfates are found in many popular shampoos, Abdullah warns that these ingredient are a major no-go when it comes to all sorts of hair issues, especially in the case of both dry hair and thinning hair. For one, sulfates will strip your hair of its natural oils, which is the last thing you want if you already struggle with naturally dry hair. Those oils are essential to your hair's health, shine, and moisture.
Additionally, sulfates are a killer when it comes to hair loss. "They enter the hair follicles and cause the membrane that holds the hair to become disintegrated," Abdullah explains. Yikes! We'll make sure to double-check the ingredients of all of our hair products and avoid this one.
So, what advice does Abdullah have when it comes to finding the best shampoo options for dry, thinning hair? While you're checking out the ingredients of your sulfate-free shampoo, she suggests you should keep an eye out for two important ones: aloe vera and biotin. "Look for moisturizing shampoos that contain aloe vera in the first two ingredients," she says, going on to note that "Biotin is not just helpful as a supplement. In your shampoo, it also helps with hair regrowth."
Additionally, don't skip out on your conditioner. Not only will it help your hair stay hydrated after washing, but it's also an important step to take to ensure any build-up left by your shampoo is removed. "Moisturizing shampoos sometimes leave build-up in the hair, but it is removed by using conditioner from the same line," Abdullah explains.
Finally, remember that you shouldn't wash your hair every day—even if you're using sulfate-free, moisturizing products. "Cleansing the hair is a process that dries out your locks," Abdullah says. "When the hair is brittle, it can break off. So try to reduce the number of days you shampoo in the week." Got it!
So, next time you're in the shampoo aisle, remember to steer clear of sulfates, opt for moisturizing options containing biotin, and go easy on the frequency at wish you wash your hair. If you follow this advice from Abdullah, you'll be on your way to softer, thicker hair in no time.
