Many shampoos out there contain sodium lauryl sulfate or SLS. This is used as an emulsifier and foaming agent to help soaps or shampoos create a foamy lather to make skin or hair feel clean. But these sulfates are known to strip away our natural layer of moisture, creating a drier scalp that may be more prone to irritation.
Instead, R+F Shampoos are formulated without SLS and contain gentle surfactants, including some that are plant-derived, that cleanse hair and scalp of excess oil and dirt without stripping, while helping to soften and hydrate dry, damaged hair. By using the right kind of surfactants, you’ll get a good cleanse without much foam as these two properties do not influence one another.
When shampooing with Volume+ or Smooth+, you may notice less suds and foam compared to shampoos with sulfates. Something important to note is that lather does not equate to efficacy. A shampoo does not need to lather in order for it to clean your hair or provide the benefits you are looking for. However, if you follow the recommended usage instructions (3 pumps of shampoo) you should experience a good, rich lather. If needed, based on hair length and density, add more shampoo or extra water to increase lather. You may also experience more suds when shampooing a second time. This is because oil and dirt suppress the amount of foam your shampoo creates, so the first time you wash there will be less foam as it works to remove dirt and oils.
In conclusion, sulfate-free shampoos will get your hair as clean as shampoos with SLS, without stripping your natural moisture levels. The results, a healthier scalp with balanced oil production. Most dry scalp types will find that their scalp is moisturized (not oily), and oily scalp types will find that their excess oil production will be reduced over time.
Rodan + Fields strives to provide customers with the most efficacious products. As we search for new, more potent ingredients and proprietary technologies, we maintain high standards and a global ingredient policy that prevents us from including certain ingredients. Our policy meets standards of some of the strictest markets around the world.
Sources: