Tried, Tested, & User Reviewed: 15 Sulphate-Free Shampoos For Curly Hair

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.  However, the shampoo might cause hairfall. 

Free Of: Sulphate, Paraben and Silicon

Nykaa Rating: 4.4/5

Pro Tip: Follow it up with Curl Up Curl Hydrating Conditioner 

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  

Nykaa Rating: 4.6/5

Pro Tip: Leave it for 5 minutes after lathering up and wash hair with lukewarm water

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. One of the con about using this shampoo is it might cause hairfall. 

Free Of: Sulphate, GMOs, Parabens and Silicones

Nykaa Rating: 3.8/5

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

Nykaa Rating: 4.9/5

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, it has reduced hair fall and improved the hair's texture. 

Free Of: Sulphate and Paraben

Nykaa Rating: 4.5/5

Price: INR 399

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, doesn't weigh down curls and make hair more manageable. The only downside is that the shampoo falls on the expensive side. 

Free Of: Sulphate, Parabens and Phthalates

User Rating: 4.5/5

LBB Tip: Follow it up with their Marc Anthony Strictly Curls Sulfate Free Frizz Sealing Conditioner, massage thoroughly and wash off with warm water 

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. One thing to note is that it falls on the expensive side. 

Free Of: Sulphates, parabens, phthalates and other harsh chemicals

Nykaa Rating: 4.4/5

The shampoo contains the goodness of glycerine, aloe extract and shea butter which they claim are perfect for curly hair as they provide moisture to the curls which inevitably adds definition. It's cruelty-free, is PETA certified, and is best followed up with their entire range of sulphate free range of curly hair. What we also like is that it is super affordable too. 

Free of: Sulphate, parabens, dyes and other harsh chemicals 

User Rating (Nykaa): 4.3/5

Fix My Curls claims to help restore the scalp's pH balance, reduce inflammation and itchiness as it contains apple cider vinegar, rosemary oil and tea tree oil. These natural ingredients are known for their soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. What makes this shampoo standout is that it is dermatologically tested and their products are cruelty free too! 

Free Of: Sulphate, parabens and silicone

Nykaa Rating: 4.4/5

LBB Tip: Follow it up with Fix My Curls Evermore Shampoo

Many users on Nykaa have claimed that the Love Beauty & Planet's shampoo have helped them to tame their frizzy curls. The shampoo is enriched with the goodness of rice water and angelica seed oil which helps in giving your hair a smooth and shiny finish. Additionally, the shampoo is free of sulphates, silicones, is 100% vegan and cruelty free too! 

Free Of: Sulphates and silicones

Nykaa Rating: 4.2/5

For your curly hair care routine, you can try out this shampoo that is specially crafted to provide nourishment and moisture to frizzy locks. Their products are specially formulated not only for the Indian hair but also according to the Indian weather and water. It is infused with organic coconut oil and jojoba oil which are great ingredients to help repair dry and damaged curls. 

Free Of: Sulphates and parabens 

Nykaa Rating: 4.2/5 

Power packed with the goodness of murumuru butter that helps in moisturising curls, and evening prime rose that is a natural anti-inflammatory agent that helps in moisturising, nourishing and repairing curls. This homegrown brand is cruelty free and vegan, with ingredients that are naturally derived and toxin free. They also get brownie points from us since their packaging is recycled. 

Free Of: Sulphates and toxins 

User Rating (Nykaa): 4.1/5

LBB Tip: Follow it up with Arata All In One Leave-In Conditioner For Curl, Wavy & Frizzy Hair

This shampoo by Bare Anatomy  is packed with ingredients such as coconut oil, hyaluronic acid, castor oil, pea protein and baobab seed extract which claims to help in achieving smooth, detangled and defined curls. The shampoo is dermatologically tested, vegan and cruelty-free as well. Since we're already fans of the Bare Anatomy Scalp Scrub, we're sure this one works well too! 

Free Of: Sulphates 

Nykaa Rating: 4.2/5

Curlvana specialises in curly hair care products that are free from harsh chemicals. They claim that it won't weigh down your curls and won't make your curls frizzy. According to the brand, their shampoo is free of toxins and fragrance, is dermatologically tested, cruelty free and vegan. In addition to it, they also state that their shampoo helps in repelling frizz during the humid weather which is perfect for the monsoons. 

Free Of: Sulphate, silicone and parabens 

Nykaa Rating: 4/5

They claim that their shampoo has been formulated with plant derived cleansers especially created for dry hair. It contains rice protein which helps in moisturising hair as well as Monoi and Macadamia that balances the scalp's oil that helps in providing nourishment and moisture. For best results you can follow it up with Ashba Botanics Nourishing Conditioner.

Free Of: SLS, SLES, Phthalates, and Parabens.

Nykaa Rating: 4.4/5