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You probably read the labels on food products to know what you’re putting into your body, but what about what you’re putting on your scalp? Giving your shampoo and conditioner a once over may leave you scratching your head wondering what exactly half the ingredients even are and what it is they even do. But if you spot sulfates included on the list of your sudsy faves, it’s time to make the switch for the sake of your hair’s health.
Sulfates not only tend to cause irritation of both the skin and eyes, but when added to hair products, they can end up doing more harm than good while you cleanse and condition. Sulfates and sodium lauryl sulfate are the added ingredients that create a sudsy lather when you’re washing your hair, but more often than not, they’re stripping hair of its necessary oils which then causes damage, breakage, and thinning. In other words, the lather is not worth the damaging effects sulfates can have on your hair longterm. Luckily, there are plenty of sulfate-free alternatives out there to keep your hair strong, shiny, and clean.
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“It is possible to get hair clean without sulfates,” Eric Schweiger, M.D., founder of Schweiger Dermatology Group, told SELF. “With the lather from a sulfate, you don’t have to work as hard to cleanse your scalp. With a product that does not contain sulfates, you will need to do more of a rigorous massage on the scalp in order to get it clean.”
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By simply swapping your damaging sulfate-filled shampoo and conditioner duo with Alba’s Botanica Drink It Up Coconut Milk Hawaiin duo set, you’ll be sure to notice a difference in your hair’s health, strength, and overall appearance. The nutrient-rich blend is free of parabens, phthalates, sulfates, and all animal testing, so you’ll feel good about supporting an ethical company while cleansing and conditioning your hair with its coconut scent.
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What It Does:
- Both products are high in high in fatty acids and protein to repair brittle strands
- Coconut milk locks in moisture and strengthens the cuticle
- Calendula and tropical oils protect from heat styling and nourish hair from the inside out
- Free of damaging sulfates
- Quenches dry hair with a pH balanced, vegan, and paraben-free formula
Alba Botanica Drink It Up Coconut Milk Hawaiian Duo Set Shampoo and Conditioner ($14.58)
Promising Reviews for Alba Botanica’s Drink It Up Coconut Milk Shampoo and Conditioner:
“I have fine, straight hair, and I thought that my hair was just changing with age. The last shampoo & conditioner I was using was supposed to be good for dry hair, but it was leaving my hair greasy feeling. Gross! The Alba shampoo and conditioner seem to be the perfect combo. My hair is soft, with just the right amount of conditioning. I'm so happy!” -Napa_Jerae
“Before I went vegan, I used Pantene for a decade. I tried a number of shampoos thereafter and none left my hair feeling soft, until I found alba. I've been a loyal Alba shampoo/conditioner buyer for the past 4 years now. Great product.” - Alicia
“I live in Utah and my the desert air sucks all of the moisture right out of my hair. It took a few tries to see results with this, but I love it. If you have thick hair like me, it can take a little work to get it to lather to a point where it feels like it's cleaning your hair and your scalp. Since this is a natural shampoo/conditioner, you will need to allow your hair to adjust to it. This can mean going through an oily stage! Hold tight! It's worth it! My hair is so shiny and soft. I will be buying this again.” - ashley sims
