Sulfate-free in personal care manufacturing: fact and fiction
It鈥檚 important to recognise the significant advantages sulfates bring, and to understand that not every claim made about sulfates is true.
The role of sulfates in personal care manufacturing remains driven by consumer preferences. Evolving perceptions about sensitivities and environmental risks have spurred a growing number of shoppers to opt for sulfate-free products.
Products marketed as 鈥渇ree from sulfates and parabens鈥� have recently experienced more than double the growth rate of overall personal care products, according to NielsenIQ.
It鈥檚 important to recognise the significant advantages sulfates bring, and also to understand that not every claim made about sulfates is true.
Facts about sulfates
Let鈥檚 start with two concerns that are legitimate:
1. Sulfates can have a negative impact on certain hair types:
This can be true when the user has very sensitive skin. Sulfates remove oils, so if left on the skin for too long, irritation can result. Consumers experiencing sensitive, dry, or damaged scalp or hair are often advised to seek out sulfate-free formulas. This can include people with rosacea, eczema and contact dermatitis, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
2. Sulfates can have a negative impact on certain hair types:
Because sulfates strip away natural oil from hair, sulfated products can lead to dry, brittle, or frizzy hair. People who already have dry, damaged, coarse, or overly processed hair may want to avoid sulfates.
Though these challenges exist, personal care brands can alter their combination of sulfates with surfactants to produce a gentler product that still achieves the desired cleansing effect.
Performance benefits of sulfates
Sulfates, including sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), are often preferred for their exceptional cleansing abilities.
These surfactants effectively remove dirt, oil, and impurities from the skin and hair, making them a staple in shampoos, body washes, and facial cleansers.
They produce a rich lather that enhances the sensory experience, giving users a satisfying feeling of cleanliness.
Sulfates also help distribute other active ingredients evenly, ensuring that products work more effectively. For instance, in shampoos, sulfates aid in the even application of conditioning agents, leading to smoother, more manageable hair.
Finally, sulfates are cost-effective and widely available, allowing formulators to produce high-quality products at accessible prices. This affordability makes premium cleansing more widely available.
Three myths fuelling growth of sulfate-free shampoo, body wash
There are things some consumers believe about sulfates that deserve an evidence-based response. Let鈥檚 go through a few of them:
Myth #1: Sulfates are always harmful to the skin
As discussed above, sulfates can cause skin irritation in individuals with sensitive skin or existing skin conditions. However, they are generally safe for most people when used properly. Products are usually formulated with other ingredients to mitigate any potential irritation. Some consumers may believe that sulfates are corrosive to the skin, but it should be noted that material safety data sheets do not categorise SLS as a corrosive material.
Myth #2: Sulfate-free shampoos don鈥檛 fade colour-treated hair
Colour-treated hair needs to be well conditioned to protect it from fading. While it鈥檚 true that sulfates can contribute to fading, water plays just as big a role in causing dye molecules to escape from hair. Sulfate-free formulations may be better for some with dyed hair, but ultimately, there is no such thing as a 鈥渃olour-safe鈥� shampoo, whether sulfated or otherwise.
Myth #3: Sulfates are bad for the environment
While sulfates can be moderately toxic to aquatic life at higher concentrations, by the time they reach natural waters, they are mostly degraded.
鈥�...product formulations that contain dilutions of SLS are not necessarily moderately toxic and, in fact, can be non-toxic to aquatic life,鈥� a study from Environmental Health Insights said.
Going deeper on the sulfate-free debate
Want to explore more about shifting consumer perceptions about sulfates?
Dive deeper into the benefits and drawbacks of this ingredient with 鈥淒o Sulfates Belong in Personal Care Products?鈥�
This download explores sulfates from procurement, performance, and environmental perspectives, offering a balanced perspective to help shape your brand's approach to sulfated and non-sulfated formulations.
Sources
https://nielseniq.com/global/en/insights/analysis/2021/2030-glow-up-the-future-of-clean-beauty/
https://www.byrdie.com/what-are-sulfates
https://www.healthline.com/health/sulfate-in-shampoo#when-to-avoid-sulfates
https://www.nbcnews.com/select/shopping/sulfates-hair-care-rcna140701
https://www.webmd.com/beauty/what-to-know-sulfate
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4651417/
https://wastefreeproducts.com/do-sulfate-shampoos-really-strip-color-from-hair/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4651417/
A balanced guide to sulfates in personal care formulations
Many consumers don鈥檛 think sulfates belong in personal care products, but some product formulators disagree. There鈥檚 a growing consumer perception that this ingredient is harmful, such as fear of skin irritation. However, sulfates can have several practical benefits, such as dissolving dirt and oils and creating lather and suds.
