By Ashley Phillips, Jennifer Hussein of Bestproducts.com | 
You wouldn't wash your hair with dish or laundry detergent, right? Then you might want to know about sulfates. This ingredient that lathers up your go-to shampoo is actually an aggressive foaming agent — aka detergent — which can be extremely harmful to your hair, and even the environment. We spoke to the experts and got the scoop on why it's best to stay in a sulfate-free zone when it comes to shampoo.
For one, sulfates derived from petroleum "are associated with climate change, pollution, and greenhouse gases," while sulfates derived from palm or coconut oils "are a concern because of the destruction to the rainforest and tree plantations," according to Kérastase consulting hairstylist Ryan Richman. Also, Richman notes that "sulfates being washed down the drain by millions of users can negatively affect aquatic animals and pollute the environment."
"Sulfates are used to create a lather in the hair to remove oil and dirt, but they can also cause colored hair to fade," adds Dhiran Mistry, hairstylist at the David Mallett salon in NY. Richman and Mistry also note that sulfates can actually lead to frizz, causing more hairy situations in your future. Who knew washing your hair could cause so much damage?
Another reason to avoid this ingredient is the irritation it can cause to your skin, and your overall hair health. Richman says this is especially true for those with rosacea, eczema, and contact dermatitis, because "when you rinse the shampoo from your hair, it runs down your body and can cause redness, itchiness, or hives." "Sulfates can also cause irritation due to the chemicals used to make them, so using a sulfate-free shampoo can help prevent a dry itchy scalp," adds Mistry.
So, it's pretty safe to say that washing up with sulfates isn't doing you any favors! Instead, listen to the pros and make the switch to a safer, sulfate-free shampoo alternative. Here are our current favorite picks.
© Briogeo
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