Is SLS In Shampoo Really That Bad?
Ever taken a curious look at the back of your shampoo bottle? If so, you’ve probably come across something called sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS). It’s in loads of personal care products, and it’s also the reason your shampoo gets so foamy and makes your hair feel squeaky clean. But here’s where it gets a bit tricky—while SLS is great at scrubbing away dirt and oil, using it every day might not be doing your hair any favours. Let’s have a friendly chat about why you might want to rethink your daily SLS shampoo routine.
So, what’s the deal with SLS and your scalp?
SLS is what’s known as a surfactant. In simple terms, it helps water mix with oil and dirt so they can be rinsed away easily. That’s why your shampoo gets all bubbly and foamy! But here’s the catch—while it’s amazing at giving you that deep-clean feeling, it can also be a bit too intense if you’re using it too often.
Your scalp naturally produces oils, called sebum, that keep both your hair and skin protected. It’s kind of like your scalp’s natural moisturiser. When you use SLS too often, it can strip away these oils, leaving your scalp dry and maybe even irritated. Some people’s scalps might go the other way and produce more oil to compensate, which means your hair could end up greasier. Not the best or healthiest loop for your hair.
Your scalp is a pretty smart system. It’s got its own ecosystem going on, and when it’s happy and balanced, it keeps things like dryness, itching, and dandruff away. But if you’re using shampoos with SLS too often, it can throw that balance off, leaving your scalp feeling sensitive or uncomfortable. And as we all know, healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp.
Got Colour or a Treatment? SLS Might Not Be Your Friend
If you’ve gone through the effort of colouring your hair or getting a treatment like our Nice and Smooth smoothing system here at The Hair Movement, SLS might not be your hair’s best buddy. It can strip away your colour and make treatments less effective, meaning your hair won’t stay as vibrant or smooth for as long as you’d like. Choosing a gentler, sulphate-free shampoo can help keep that salon-fresh look around for longer.
Moisture Is Key
Hair loves moisture—it’s what keeps it strong, shiny, and healthy. The problem with SLS is that, while it’s busy removing dirt, it can also take some of that much-needed moisture with it. For those with curly, textured, or naturally dry hair, this can lead to frizz and breakage. Even if your hair isn’t super dry, keeping it hydrated is still important to maintain its softness and strength.
If you’ve got a sensitive scalp, you might find that shampoos containing SLS leave your skin feeling itchy, flaky, or irritated. Some people’s skin is just more reactive to harsh ingredients, and over time, using these shampoos daily can make things worse. Switching to something gentler could really help soothe your scalp and make it feel more comfortable.
A Kinder Way to Wash Your Hair
The great news is that there are plenty of professional SLS-free shampoos out there, like The Hair Movement range, still get your hair clean without the harsh effects of SLS. These shampoos usually use gentler ingredients like sodium cocamidopropyl betaine or decyl glucoside, which cleanse your hair without stripping away its natural oils. As you know, here at The Hair Movement salon and brand, we’re all about promoting healthy hair, and our products are designed to be kind to both your hair and scalp whilst also protecting your hair investment.
While using a gentler sulphate like TEA-lauryl-sulphate every now and then isn’t damaging—it’s often found in deep-cleansing clarifying shampoos that are used once or twice a month—I’d recommend always avoiding shampoos with SLS in them. If you want to keep your hair in top condition, switching to an SLS-free or sulphate-free shampoo for everyday use is a great move. After all, your hair deserves products that work with its natural balance, not against it.
