Reasons To Use Sulfate-free Dandruff Shampoos

Some of the reasons to switch to sulfate-free shampoos are:

Prevent frizz Reduce split ends Don’t strip natural oils Protect hair color Prevent the development of warmer tones on highlighted or cool-toned hair

Now that you are convinced of the absolute wonders of an anti-dandruff shampoo without the dangers of sulfates, check out the listed products ruling the hair care market.

10 Best Drugstore Sulfate-Free Dandruff Shampoos

1. Best Volume-Boosting Formula: MAPLE HOLISTICSSage Special Formula Shampoo

The Sage Special Formula Shampoo from MAPLE HOLISTICS offers a therapeutic solution to treat dandruff and improve hair health. It gently cleanses the flaky scalp by removing dirt and oil from the clogged follicles while providing relief from itching and dryness. Moroccan argan oil,jojoba oil, and peach kernel oil replenish moisture, restore vibrancy, improve elasticity, and provide shine to each strand. This scalp nourishment shampoo reduces static or frizz while boosting volume to make your hair smooth, soft, and bouncy. It contains all-natural and potent ingredients, such as tea tree essential oils, sage rosemary oil, and botanical keratin. The nourishing plant moisturizers seal moisture and revive dull, lifeless, and undernourished hair. This shampoo is suitable for all hair types. Pros

Paraben-free Cruelty-free Color-safe Suitable for sensitive scalp Non-irritating

Cons

May dry out the hair

2. Best Color-Safe: puriyaScalp Therapy Shampoo

The puriya Scalp Therapy Shampoo deeply hydrates the scalp to prevent dandruff and dryness. This clarifying shampoo has herbal blend of ingredients like sage, rosemary, tea tree, and arnica oil that moisturize the scalp. The gentle formula removes buildup effectively, leaving your hair silky and shiny. This pH-balancing shampoo is rich in plant-based ingredients and rejuvenates even the driest of scalps and the most brittle hair. It contains no artificial scents, parabens, sulfates, or sodium chloride and is safe to use on all hair types. Pros

Gentle Sodium-chloride-free Paraben-free Color-safe Suitable for pets

Cons

Unpleasant smell

3. Best Lightweight: Majestic Pure Cosmeceuticals Himalayan Dandruff & Scalp Shampoo

This Dandruff & Scalp Shampoo by Majestic Pure Cosmeceuticals effectively washes away dandruff from your scalp and strengthens your hair. The formula is packed with beneficial ingredients like argan oil which keeps your hair healthy and shiny. Jojoba oil, coconut oil, and rosemary oil wash away dandruff and deeply hydrate your hair and scalp. This shampoo is safe for daily use for both men and women. It contains Himalayan Salt that helps to dissolve existing product build-up and dandruff and promotes circulation for a healthy scalp. Pros

Lightweight Does not weigh hair down Sulfate-free Paraben-free Cruelty-free

Cons

Does not lather well

4. Best Clinically Tested Formula: L’OREAL PARIS EVERFRESH Sulfate/Free Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

This sulfate-free anti-dandruff shampoo from L’Oreal is clinically tested to get rid of itching, flakiness, and irritation. It contains 1% pyrithione zinc that effectively restores scalp balance and keeps dandruff away. The flake-fighting ingredients do not strip the natural hair oils or fade hair color. This shampoo is formulated without any harsh salts, surfactants, and parabens. Pros

Color-safe Paraben-free Salt-free Smells pleasant Value for money

Cons

Does not work well for thick hair.

5. Best Antifungal Properties: FREE & CLEAR Medicated Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

The FREE & CLEAR Medicated Anti-Dandruff Shampoo works gently to remove dandruff without irritating the scalp. It is formulated with 2% zinc pyrithione with antifungal properties that reduce seborrheic dermatitis. This shampoo helps in balancing the pH of the scalp to leave you with problem-free hair. It is free of chemical irritants, such as dyes, fragrances, gluten, lanolin, parabens, formaldehyde, and formaldehyde releasers. Pros

Gentle Dermatologically-tested Fragrance-free Gluten-free Paraben-free Formaldehyde-free Cocamidopropyl betaine-free

Cons

Makes the hair frizzy.

6. Best For Flaky Scalp: HONEYDEW TEA TREE SUPREME Shampoo

This sulfate-free anti-dandruff shampoo from HONEYDEW reduces scales and flakes on your scalp without weighing your hair down. The strengthening and restoring formula is suitable for all hair and scalp types, including color-treated hair and sensitive scalp. This shampoo revives the strands by washing away oil, dirt, flakes, and buildup, leaving them shiny and healthy. It contains tea tree oil that helps in preventing itching and flaking by cleaning the scalp and leaving your hair smoother, shinier, and volumized. This antibacterial shampoo is also infused with jojoba and rosemary that heal and revitalize the hair and prevent hair loss. Pros

Mild scent Volumizes hair Suitable for all hair and scalp types Suitable for all age groups

Cons

May dry out the hair.

7. Best Cruelty-Free: Botanic Hearth Tea Tree Shampoo

The Botanic Hearth Tea Tree Shampoo fights dandruff and reduces scalp dryness. This scalp cleansing shampoo deeply nourishes and soothes the scalp without causing any irritation or redness. The sulfate-free formula is safe for daily use and is gentle on all hair types, including colored-treated hair. It contains essential tea tree oil that clarifies the scalp, leaving behind a refreshing scent. This shampoo is cruelty-free and helps nourish and hydrate the scalp while promoting scalp and hair health. Pros

Paraben-free Cruelty-free Lightweight Suitable for all hair types Smells pleasant Suitable for daily use

Cons

Thin consistency

8. Best For Taming Frizz: bellisso ​Tea Tree Shampoo

The bellisso Tea Tree Shampoo is a soothing sulfate-free shampoo that heals the scalp and prevents problems related to inflammation, itching, and dandruff. This deep cleaning shampoo calms an irritated scalp by restoring and balancing its health. It contains tea tree oil with antifungal properties that leaves your hair super clean. This invigorating shampoo works well for oily hair and eliminates dirt, oil, and grime. It also contains Japanese camellia, collagen extract, silk protein, and vitamin B5that condition the hair and nourish it from root to tip. Pros

Paraben-free Tames frizz No animal testing

Cons

Strong fragrance

9. Best For Revitalizing The Scalp: Argan Dandruff Cleansing Shampoo

The Argan Dandruff Cleansing Shampoo removes flakes and residue while revitalizing your scalp. This deep-cleansing sulfate-free shampoo cleans, soothes, and protects the hair. It prevents itching by restoring the natural pH of the scalp. This shampoo is infused with herbal blend of oils to revitalize the scalp and enhance hair texture. It is suitable for all hair types, including color-treated hair, and helps in maintaining the daily hydration levels of the hair. This shampoo is free of harsh additives, like parabens and alcohols that can make hair frizzy and dull. Pros

Suitable for all hair types Paraben-free Alcohol-free Mild scent Value for money

Cons

Leaves the hair greasy.

10. Best Non-Irritating: Planative Tea Tree Oil Shampoo

The Planative Tea Tree Oil Special Formula Shampoo contains a nourishing blend of botanical ingredients that work together to eliminate flakes, itchiness, and dandruff. The tea tree oil, jojoba oil, and argan oil helps unclog the follicles, cleanse the scalp gently, and make your hair strong and healthy. This herbal anti-dandruff shampoo also contains rosemary and lavender essential oils that activate the hair follicles to promote healthy hair growth and prevent hair fall. Pros

Gentle Non-irritating Suitable for all hair types Paraben-free Hypoallergenic

Cons

Tangles hair

Why Trust Stylecraze?

Shiboli Chakraborti is a certified skin care coach and hair care aficionado who believes that to treat dandruff effectively, you don’t need to dig a hole in your pocket because there are plenty of drugstore, sulfate-free options available. She herself uses drugstore, sulfate-free dandruff shampoos for her hair because it does not strip off its natural oils. She has conducted an in-depth research and carefully curated the list to help her readers make the best choice. The list includes some of her favorites too. What are the potential risks of using a sulfate shampoo? Shampoos containing sulfates can disturb the natural pH balance of your scalp and cause scalp problems like dryness, itchiness, flakiness, etc. It can also lead to excessive secretion of sebum and cause excessive scalp oiliness. It also leads to hair fall, hair loss, breakage, frizz, etc. How often should I wash using a sulfate-free dandruff shampoo? Sulfate-free shampoos can be used twice a week, as directed on the packaging, or as suggested by the doctor. Do sulfate-free shampoos help with dandruff? Yes, sulfate-free shampoos reduce dandruff and treat scalp conditions like dermatitis and psoriasis. They remove dandruff flakes and make your tresses appear healthier. Do sulfates cause dandruff? Yes, using sulfates too frequently may strip off your hair’s natural oils and cause dryness, which, in turn, causes dandruff. Why does my hair feel like straw after using sulfate-free shampoo? If you use shampoos excessively, even the sulfate-free ones, your hair may feel like straw since the formula may remove moisture along with dandruff and dirt to offer a squeaky clean appearance to your tresses. What happens when you start using sulfate-free dandruff shampoos? Sulfate-free dandruff shampoos soothe itchy scalp and keep your hair free of dandruff flakes.

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