Mirror, mirror on the wall, who has the best curls of them all? It could be you if you add some of the best sulfate-free shampoos for curly hair to your hair routine. Everybody knows curly hair requires extra care and pampering, starting from shampoos to deep conditioning treatments. Based on our observations, sulfate-free shampoos are considered more curly hair-friendly than their regular counterparts as they don’t contain harsh chemicals that can dry hair.

Sulfates like sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate are commonly used cleansing agents. These are the ingredients that give your shampoo all that lather. While they are extremely good at cleansing the scalp and hair of dirt, debris, and product buildup, they can also strip their natural oils and leave your hair strands feeling dry and frizzy. That is not a good look on any hair type, particularly curly hair. This is why curly girl-friendly routines focus on sulfate-free hair products for cleansing hair and scalp. These are hair cleansers formulated with gentle surfactants like sodium cocoyl isethionate, decyl glucoside, or sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate. They cleanse effectively as well as nourish and condition your tresses. Sulfate-free shampoos for curly hair may not make as much foam or lather, but they protect your curls from further damage and maintain their shape.

This is why, through our trial and error, we discovered the top-rated sulfate-free shampoos for curly hair. Keep reading to know more about our handpicked recommendations and how to buy the shampoo that best suits your needs.

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  BEST FOR DAMAGED HAIR

  VIRTUE RECOVERY SHAMPOO

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Discover the indulgence of VIRTUE’s Recovery Shampoo, a sulfate-free elixir tailored for luscious curls. Crafted with care, this shampoo understands the unique needs of curly hair. Embracing the essence of sulfate-free formulas, it gently cleanses, preserving your natural oils while revitalizing each curl. Free from harsh detergents, it nurtures your locks, leaving them supple, defined, and gloriously vibrant. Dive into a world where every wash becomes a rejuvenating ritual, celebrating your curls' inherent beauty. Experience the magic of sulfate-free care, tailored exclusively for your curly allure.

2

BEST FOR DRY HAIR

ORIBE Shampoo for Moisture & Control

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Introducing ORIBE’s Shampoo for Moisture & Control – an oasis for curly locks in the realm of sulfate-free hair care. Tailored for curls, it’s a hydrating masterpiece. Dive into a luxurious blend that tames frizz, restoring natural bounce and vitality. Perfectly balancing moisture and control, it’s a gentle cleanse that respects your hair’s integrity. Crafted without sulfates, it nourishes, leaving your curls supple, defined, and effortlessly beautiful. Embrace a shampoo designed for the unique needs of your curls, where every wash becomes a celebration of natural allure.

3

Best for Dry Hair

OGX Renewing + Argan Oil of Morocco Shampoo

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OGX sulfate-free shampoo for curly hair has taken the world of haircare by storm. This argan oil-based shampoo is a cult favorite amongst curly-haired people. It is very popular for reviving dead and dull locks with its incredibly nourishing formula. It not only moisturizes your curls but also makes them look and feel bouncier. With this shampoo, you can help repair the damaged hair fiber and achieve silky smooth-defined gorgeous locks. Drawing from our experience, it may not work for color-treated hair.

4

Best for Damaged Hair

BELLISSO Keratin-enriched Shampoo and Conditioner Set

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Clean and moisturize your hair strands with less effort, all thanks to this shampoo and conditioner set from BELLISSO. This duo is enriched with keratin protein, silk protein, vitamin B5, and collagen to meet most of your hair needs. With their intensely nourishing formula, they help repair damaged strands and prevent further breakage. It will take only a few uses to see the difference in manageability and shine of your curls, irrespective of your curly hair texture. As indicated by our tests, these are salon-grade hair care products that can be used by all genders.

5

Best Overall

Garnier Fructis Curl Nourish Sulfate-free Moisturizing Shampoo

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Rejuvenate your curls without burning a hole in your pocket with this paraben and sulfate-free shampoo for curly hair. This is a gentle shampoo with an effective cleansing action and comes with the signature Garnier Fructis smell that will invigorate your senses. Its formula is infused with plant protein, coconut oil, Macadamia seed oil, niacinamide, and jojoba oil that leaves hair with unparalleled softness. Our team discovered through using this product that it feels quite moisturizing, yet it does not hold the curl shape for as long as it is claimed by the brand. However, it shows better results in humid weather.

6

Best for Hair Fall

Pure Nature Argan Oil Deep Hydra Nourishing Shampoo

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Get your hands on this sulfate-free shampoo for curly hair to clean, refresh, and nourish your scalp and hair. Formulated with argan oil and hydrolyzed wheat protein, it helps strengthen hair follicles and repairs hair shafts to reduce hair fall and breakage. It smoothes the hair cuticles to leave you with luscious and shiny locks. This shampoo is a must-have if you want to give your hair an extra boost of moisturization, tame the flyaways, and make your curls more manageable. After putting it to the test, we discovered that it makes hair look healthier, fuller, and thicker with regular use.

7

Best for Color-treated Hair

Aveeno Colo Protect and Strengthen Shampoo

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This Aveeno shampoo will rejuvenate your hair from the roots to the tips with its blackberry, colloidal oats, and quinoa protein-rich formula. It has a rich creamy texture that suds up well and cleanses without stripping the natural oils. It is tough on the product buildup but gentle on your scalp, making it the best sulfate-free shampoo for curly hair. It promotes a healthy scalp environment and helps treat an itchy scalp. Based on our firsthand experience, this shampoo must be followed with a good hair conditioner if you have very dry or coarse curls.

8

Best Splurge

Love Ur Curls Shampoo, Conditioner, and All-in-One Styler Set

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Curly hair has different needs and no other brand knows it better than Love Ur Curls. Their 3-in-1 haircare set is specifically formulated for Type 3 curly hair and is very much different from other beauty products. It is all you need to meet your hair requirements and includes a shampoo, conditioner, and styling cream. These products are free from harsh ingredients like sulfates, parabens, phthalates, and silicones, taking the curly hair-friendly tag to the next level. You can expect stronger, shinier, and healthy hair with regular use. When we trialed this product, we found that it makes for a great investment and is worth every penny. This set is also available for coily and kinky hair.

9

Best Drugstore

TRESemmé Flawless Curls Shampoo and Conditioner Set

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Caring for curly hair doesn't have to be complicated and this has been proved by the TRESemmé Flawless Curls range. This shampoo and conditioner duo will help enhance the shape of your curls and make them look more defined. They have a creamy consistency which leaves the hair feeling very soft. With a non-drying formula, it is a good sulfate-free shampoo for curly hair, while the hair conditioner, on the other hand, effectively tames the frizz. After conducting experiments with it, we can say that these are overall great products for curly hair. Make sure to thoroughly wet hair for optimal cleansing.

10

Best Clarifying

Nexxus Clean and Pure Shampoo

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There's a reason the Nexxus Clean and Pure Shampoo is a cult favorite amongst the curly hair community. Enriched with key ingredients like elastin protein, marine minerals, panthenol, coconut oil, and hydrolyzed wheat protein, this silicone and sulfate-free shampoo for curly hair is specially crafted to give salon-like smooth curls. It has an excellent cleansing action that won't dry the scalp. Moreover, this shampoo is a must-have for frizzy unmanageable hair. Our investigation demonstrated that it can revive dull, damaged, and lifeless hair within a few washes.

11

Best Smelling

Kristin Ess The One Signature Shampoo and Conditioner Set

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Now you can achieve the softest and bounciest curls ever with this sulfate-free shampoo for curly hair. But that's not all you get. This Kristin Ess also comes with the Signature hair conditioner. While the shampoo provides a light clarifying action that enhances curl shape, the conditioner, on the other hand, acts as a perfect follow-up treatment and smoothes the hair cuticle for an unmatched shine. Through our practical knowledge, we suggest using this duo for a spa-like experience at home.

12

Best in Budget

Head & Shoulders Royal Oils Sulfate-Free Scalp Care Shampoo

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Dandruff doesn't discriminate between straight or curly hair and the flakes will come attacking. Head & Shoulders is the cult favorite choice for treating dandruff on a budget and now curly hair people can enjoy its benefits too. This is the best drugstore sulfate-free shampoo for curly hair and perhaps one of the cheapest ones too. It effectively removes flakes and helps with the itchiness of the scalp too. For soft, defined, and bouncy curls, this is a good option. Based on our observations, this shampoo makes detangling easier.

13

Thank God It’s Natural Moisture Rich Sulfate Free Shampoo

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Say goodbye to dry hair with the deep moisturizing formula of this paraben sulfate-free shampoo for curly hair. It is a good option for co-wash, thanks to its hair conditioner-like rich texture. Infused with amla oil, coconut oil, and pro-vitamin B5, this shampoo helps improve the scalp environment which in turn gives way to healthy hair growth. Our analysis of this product revealed that since this gentle shampoo has a rich vitamin formula, you may have to add a clarifying shampoo to your wash routine once in a while to thoroughly cleanse your scalp of all the accumulated debris and product buildup.

14

Botanic Hearth Curly Hair Shampoo

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Managing curls has been made easier with this natural sulfate-free shampoo for curly hair. It is easy to apply and rinse off without tangling your curls in a knotted mess. Infused with nourishing ingredients like jojoba oil, vitamin E, and vegan biotin, it smoothens the tangles and enhances curl shape. This scalp clarifying shampoo has a gentle yet moisturizing formula that helps repair damaged strands. After trying out this product, we can say it helps reduce hair fall by strengthening hair follicles and hair strands.

15

Mixed Chicks Sulfate-free Shampoo

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Let your search for sulfate-free shampoo for curly hair on a budget end here. This Mixed Chicks shampoo has an incredibly nourishing formula infused with sweet almond oil, panthenol, sesame seed oil, aloe vera, avocado oil, and olive oil. This blend of natural oils and botanical extracts is exactly what your curls need to look healthier and happier. It revitalizes dull hair and brings them back to life. You can use it without any worries if you have colored hair or hair that has undergone chemical treatments. Our research indicates that it leaves hair softer and more manageable with every wash.

16

Alfaparf Milano Semi Di Lino Enhancing Low Shampoo

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Specially formulated for wavy and curly hair, this Alfaparf Milano shampoo gets the job done true to its claims. It effectively cleanses the scalp without making it feel stripped, dry, or tight. Recommended by hair professionals, this shampoo has a luxe formula that works for colored hair too. With its ability to reduce frizz and detangling, no wonder it has become the top-rated sulfate-free shampoo for curly hair. It leaves the hair feeling very soft and shiny while enhancing the curl shape. We have found from using this product that it is a low-poo shampoo that adds a visible body and bounce to the hair.

17

L'ange Hair Lathér Keratin Protein Shampoo

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The L'ange Hair Lathér Keratin Protein Shampoo is an underrated hair care product for curly hair. Its sulfate-free formula is enriched with star ingredients like keratin, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, and antioxidants that work together to transform your curls for the better. With just one use, it leaves your hair feeling like you came straight out of a salon. That's not all! Our findings show that it indeed helps add definition to curls but also helps with curl retention, making it the best sulfate-free shampoo for curly hair women.

Curly hair has different needs than straight hair, which is why there are specialized cleansing and styling products for curly locks. Choosing the best sulfate-free shampoo for curly hair may feel like unchartered territory, but we are here with our comprehensive buying guide that will help you make an informed choice. Here are some aspects you must carefully consider to buy the ideal sulfate-free shampoo for your curls:

Hair and Scalp Type

Consider your hair type, whether it is dry, normal, or oily. Similarly, consider if your scalp is oily, dry, or normal. You may have a combination of two different types, like an oily scalp and dry hair strands. Determining this will help you pick the right formulation of the sulfate-free shampoo for curly hair.

Curl Type

There are different curly hair types and you must be aware of your curl type as you go shopping for shampoo as different types have different requirements. Some people have fine curls and must opt for lightweight formulas. Those with thick and coarse curls must look for something more creamy and nourishing. 

Ingredients

Read the ingredient list carefully and make sure the shampoo does not contain any sulfate. Typically, shampoos use Sodium Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES).  Since you have curly hair, you must avoid harsh and harmful ingredients like alcohol, silicones, phthalates, and mineral oil. Opt for nourishing natural ingredients like shea butter, argan oil, coconut milk, fatty acids, sunflower seed oil, aloe vera, rice proteins, glycerin, jojoba oil, silk amino acids, vitamin E, hydrolyzed plant protein, keratin, and cocamidopropyl betaine, to name a few.

Formula  

Choose a formula based on your hair and curl type. Opt for a lightweight formula that lathers well for a good sensory experience. Thick creamy formulas are good for coarse hair. Look for a silicone-free formula or something with water-soluble silicones to prevent product build-up. Some formulas may not remove the product build-up effectively, while some may clarify but leave your curls dry. In such cases, you should get additional clarifying shampoo and good leave-in conditioners.

Cleansing Action

Not all sulfate-free shampoos will cleanse your hair the same way. Some are clarifying while others are more moisturizing. There are also shampoos like Blu Atlas that clarify as well as nourish. You must pick the one that best suits your hair needs. Rich lather may feel good but it is not an indicator of how well a shampoo can cleanse. Some shampoos may not lather at all and feel like a lotion yet give your scalp and hair a deep cleanse. 

Price and Value

Set a budget. Don’t forget to compare the prices on various platforms to get the best deals. You must check and match the quantity of sulfate-free shampoo for curly hair with its price. Shampoos with concentrate may have a smaller quantity but a higher price. There’s a good chance you will need only a small amount to get the job done, making that expensive shampoo a good value for your money.

Consult a Professional

If you feel confused, you must not hesitate to consult a board-certified dermatologist or a hair care professional to get personalized recommendations. 

Customer Reviews

Read up on customer reviews and feedback from your fellow curly-haired people on various online platforms and beauty blogs. This will help you gain valuable insights into the real-life efficacy and performance of the shampoos you like.

Sulfates are fairly common cleansing agents found in shampoos. While they may work for some hair types, they may not work for you if you have curls, which is why you must invest in some of the best sulfate-free shampoos for curly hair. Since sulfates can strip your scalp and hair of their natural oils, making them rough and dry, sulfate-free shampoos are your best bet for keeping your curls looking and feeling moisturized. These shampoos are more conditioning than regular shampoos and incredibly good for coarse curly or coily hair. They prevent frizz, static, and dryness while repairing damaged and brittle hair. You can pick any of our recommendations based on your hair needs and welcome the softest curliest curls of your life!