Sulphates are a good cleaning agent and most off-the-rack shampoos contain it. They make the shampoo lather well and clean out all grease and grime from your hair. Unfortunately, they clean too well in the sense that they also remove the natural oils from the scalp. And if you have curly hair, you know what a dry scalp can do to it. Frizzy, limp curls are just a no-no. Thankfully, there are a whole lot of shampoos that are sulphate-free and perfect for folks with curly hair. These sulphate-free shampoos listed below have been tried and tested by people with curly hair (see what they have to say about their curly hair regime here) as well as users who bought the product online.
Tried, Tested, & User Reviewed: 8 Sulphate-Free Shampoos For Curly Hair
Curl Up Moisturising Shampoo
₹575
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The shampoo is specifically formulated for wavy and curly hair. This writer uses it once a week and it removes all the dirt and grime and leaves the hair moisturised and soft. The coconut-based cleanser has Argan oil and chia seed extracts with antioxidants and vitamin E, and after a wash, the curls don't dry up or get frizzy.
Free Of: Sulphate, Paraben and Silicon
User Rating (Nykaa): 4.4/5
Price: INR 575 for 200ml
St Botanica Go Curls Hair Shampoo
₹475
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Infused with the goodness of avocado, argan and flaxseed oil, this shampoo is gentle on the scalp and leaves your curls feeling soft and hydrated. Writer and avid traveller, Sunaina Patnaik, who uses this regularly, tells us this shampoo works effectively with her regular curl care regime. The shampoo helps her manage her frizz and dryness. According to the brand's page, the shampoo's pea protein helps protect the hair further.
Free Of: Sulphate (SLS/SLES), Silicon, Paraben and Mineral Oils
User Rating (Nykaa): 4.6/5
Price: INR 475
Plum Olive & Macadamia Healthy Hydration Shampoo
₹550
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Sreya Vittaldev, a Marketing professional and home chef, swears by this shampoo and it is part of her elaborate curl care regime (read more here). The shampoo and olive oil and macadamia oil extracts enhance the shine and fix split ends, while hydrating the hair. Macadamia oil is a great moisturising agent, and for Sreya, whose curls dry up quickly, this works wonders.
Free Of: Sulphate and Paraben
User Rating (Nykaa): 4/5
Price: INR 550
True Frog Shampoo For Curls
₹585
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LBB crew member Ahalya Acharya uses this and says the shampoo brings out the curls after a couple of washes. It has flaxseed and beetroot extracts for a refreshing wash. If you are oiling your hair, then this isn't best recommendation according to Ahalya. The beetroot extracts help your coloured hair from fading.
Free Of: Sulphate, GMOs, Parabens and Silicones
User Rating (Nykaa): 3.8/5
Price: INR 585
Fix My Curls Everyday Moisturising Shampoo
₹970
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This writer used this shampoo for a few months and was quite happy with the results. It kept the hair soft and frizz-free and was also good in humid conditions. According to the brand, the shampoo is ideal for folks with curls of the type between 2A and 4A. It's got mango butter, shea butter and neroli oil extracts that help in manage the frizz and balance the scalp's pH.
Free Of: Sulphates, Parabens and Silicones
User Rating (Nykaa): 4.9/5
Price: INR 970 for 250ml
Nykaa Naturals
₹399
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Nykaa Naturals is Nykaa's own line of skin and hair care products and this shampoo is ideal for all types of hair. It has onion and fenugreek in the shampoo to promote hair growth. It helps soothe and reduce an itchy and oily scalp and hydrates your hair after each wash. According to one Nykaa user, the product, after many washes, has reduced hair fall and improved the hair's texture.
Free Of: Sulphate and Paraben
User Rating (Nykaa): 4.5/5
Price: INR 399
Marc Anthony Strictly Curls Shampoo
₹1199
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According to a verified buyer (Suja Suriyanila) on Nykaa, this shampoo is perfect for curly hair and leaves their hair silky, bouncy and free of frizz. The product is infused with shea butter and vitamin E, which help reduce moisture loss and make hair more manageable.
Free Of: Sulphate, Parabens and Phthalates
User Rating (Nykaa): 4.1/5
Price: INR 1,199
Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo
₹1700
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LBB crew member Muskan uses Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo and has seen a visible difference in her hair from the very first wash. The shampoo is designed to strengthen and repair damaged hair with the brand's signature bond-building technology. It's suitable for all hair types, including curly hair, as they tend to be more fragile. Muskan feels her hair has become more manageable, soft and shiny, and has seen a huge difference in reduced frizz and breakage.
Free Of: Sulphates, parabens, phthalates and other harsh chemicals
User Rating (Nykaa): 4.4/5
Price: INR 1,450
Pro-Tip
Are sulphates really bad for you, though? Know more here.