Are all SLS free shampoos created equal?

[TeaAddict235]

So now that we have been told that SLS free shampoos are less drying and less damaging to our hair and scalp, are we to assume that they are all made equally? I don't consider that those stating as Paraben free to be better than those with them.

What is to say that they are actually any good at cleansing? Are we meant to cleanse our hair just as regularly as needed still with them or should there be a significant reduction in the frequency of SLS free shampoos?

I alternate between a Logona aloe Vera shampoo and a Lavera Mango milk shampoo; and I find that I could easily use them at every wash, however if I don't then product build up will lead to me using a SLS containing shampoo next time.

I feel like there is a lot of information simultaneously being projected: cowash, SLS free shampoos and shampoo less. Which is meant to lead to better hair and scalp health?

Personally I think you should wash using an sls free shampoo DAILY

I use SLS free Liz Earle shampoo and conditioner, I have for years and my hair send to appreciate it! I'm also trying to wash my hair loss in general, aiming for 2 times a week; I tried no poo but it just didn't work for me, my hair is very fine and the kids are at the age that they catch headlice so no poo just isn't an option!!

That sounds like a good idea @mintmagnummm , but what if you have dry hair? Or with the menopause etc you notice dryer or thinner hair? Is daily hair washing with a SLS free shampoo equal to fewer weekly washes or a few cowashes a week?

As far as I am aware, an sls free shampoo should clean your hair just as effectively, and in the same way as a non sls free shampoo. The difference is that there is no foaming agent which makes the distribution of the product much easier, so with an sls free shampoo you may need to use more product, and spend more time distributing it to have the same results. It's unlikely to have a dramatic effect on your actual hair, and washing your hair less and less often is far more beneficial.

If you are cowashing it is also relevant what products you are putting in your hair. If you are using something with a lot of silicones in a cowash, and I suspect SLS free shampoo, will struggle to remove the silicone buildup.

I'm a daily washer because I have to be, I suffer from scalp problems and if I don't wash daily I get a flare up and my scalp becomes very itchy. I believe if you wash your hair daily then an sls free shampoo is the way to go. My hair is coloured including bleach so is dry and damaged but washing daily as long as sls free doesn't cause me any problems, however I try not to use heat on my hair every time so I usually put it up wet in a clip some days.

I must say though that not all sls free shampoos are the same! I've used ALOT and most of them have been awful and actually have made my hair/scalp worse

It's also important to factor in that not all products work well together. For example, if you are using an sls free shampoo, you will need to use a conditioner that contains water soluble silicones. If you use a conditioner with non water soluble silicones then the shampoonis unlikely to be effective enough to remove all of the product and will eventually lead to build up.

dry hair = fewer washes generally speaking

I'm the same as mintmagnummm in terms of needing to use a SLS shampoo daily owing to scalp issues. My problem is that I've not found one yet which doesn't dry my hair out. I'm resigned to straw like hair. So there are any recommendations they would be gratefully received!

I use a L'Oréal one that I think is SLS free, it doesn't foam? I use it 2-3 times a week (I don't wash my hair daily) and it's stopped my hair being static and flyaway. Also seems to be keeping my itchy scalp at bay.

I'm a completely shampoo free zone, no silicones either. I wash with conditioner every 3-4 days

Try Korres almond shampoo and conditioner if you have dry hair.

I used to do this when I started using SLS free shampoos, and can now confirm that they are not all equal! Vichy Dercos Extra Soothing is the only one I've found so far where I don't have to occasionally use one with SLS in to clear the buildup. I definitely need to wash my hair less with this shampoo than I used to.

Thanks for the recommendations, I'm going to try the Korres and Vichy ones, the L'Oreal one made me horribly itchy unfortunately. Fingers crossed I can kiss goodbye to the Worzel Gummidge look! It's that or I resemble a crazy lady with a nest of head lice at the moment.

I have been using SLS-free shampoos for several years. Usually paraben and silicone free, too, dependant upon budget available. I don't find that it makes any difference to the frequency with which I have to wash my hair (shoulder-length or longer = twice a week). But it does make a difference if I have to wash more often, say if I've got particularly grubby or sweaty or been swimming. Previously, my hair would be significantly drier if I washed it too often, but with SLS-free shampoo I can wash more frequently than twice weekly without my hair turning into a frizzy bird's nest. Conditioner of similar quality is, of course, also necessary.

same here @soyalatteforme ! My experience is that my hair is even drier and duller after using SLS free shampoos and silicone free conditioners. For some reason I am yet to see a significant improvement on the condition of my hair. I feel like I cant fully commit to a whole year of SLS free shampoos and silicone free conditioners, as my hair would no longer be on my head. But I am wondering if it is because I am altering too many variables at once: reduction in shampooing frequency + the use of SLS free shampoos + cowashing every now and again, and the result is a dull matted head of hair that has no elasticity to it.

I have found that the best combination for my hair is Body Shop ginger shampoo and Tresemme naturals (-cone free) conditioner.

My experience is No!

Firstly they all work a lot better if you switch all your conditioning and styling products to silicone free, otherwise you will get build-up.

Secondly, no they are not the same. I've had ones that leave my hairlooking like straw and ones that leave it horribly greasy. Both of these were from products regularly cited as massive favourites by other Mumsnetters so it is totally down to your hair and your personal preference.

I would never go back to SLS again, both for my skin (using SLS shampoos gives me ezcema on my hands and back) and my hair.

I now have lovely curly hair and wash every 2-3 days when previously I had horrible frizzy hair and washed daily or got covered in grease.

If you have curly/wavy hair check out the products on British Curlies - I have done much better with products there.

I have really dry scalp and long thick curls.

I use a shampoo to wash my scalp and i co wash the rest of my hair. The shampoo tends to work its way down the first inch or two of my hair. It works really well, my scalp doesn't itch, my roots don't get greasy and my curls don't end up frizzy and dried out.

Soya I have tried a ridiculous amount and not liked any of them due to my hair feeling like straw and my scalp still itching etc but the one I have found that I like is pureology strength cure. It's £££ but u literally need the size of a pea of both the shampoo and conditioner, I watched a YouTube vid showing how to use these products and I was like no way will that be enough for my hair but it works so the bottles will last ages! Allbeauty.com and justmylook.com both do good prices. I recommend you watch the vid as the guy really explains how they should be used properly.

It sounds much like trial and error to find products and a method that suits you. You're right that I think probably best to give a change a chance to root (excuse the pun!) before changing things up again.

I have a natural wave to my hair and would love for it to be shiny and healthy looking but I straighten the life out of it because the alternative is a ratty mess.

Ive just bought the L'Oréal one. Hoping it will transform my knotty mess.

I've used Avalon Organics for several years and swear by it. It lathers properly, unlike most of the others, and gives a wonderful shine. The lemon version clears build up.