Can I use any kind of shampoo after keratin treatment?

Leah LOVES hair. So much so, she dedicated an entire website to it! One of the founders of Hair Everyday and Chief Editor, Leah enjoys reviewing all the hair products and showcasing the best. She believes her most underrated articles are her hair care tips!

Using a sulphate free shampoo for keratin treated hair is all the rage right now. These prevent your keratin-treated hair from getting damaged or turning dry and frizzy.

Sodium Lauryl Sulphate or SLS and Sodium Laureth Sulphate or SLES are substances that are commonly added to shampoos and other hair products. 

They are extracted from petroleum and other plant sources like palm and coconut oil. Their primary function is to help you build a lather while using the shampoo. 

Related: Best Dry Shampoo For Keratin Treated Hair

Related: Best Sulphate Free Shampoo

Sulphates are also excellent cleansing agents that can get rid of any dirt or buildup from your hair. 

However, they also come with a set of cons that will make you reconsider your choice of shampoo. 

They remove not only excess oil and dirt but hair’s natural moisture, making tresses dry. Sulphates are also known to strip hair dye from strands.

Keratin treated hair is already vulnerable as they’ve been through a rigorous chemical rebonding process.

And using sulphate-based shampoos can damage hair further and leave it frizzy and untamed. Which is basically undoing a keratin treatment!

How I tested the best sulfate-free shampoos for keratin-treated hair?

After using these shampoos on my own keratin-treated hair, I rated them on a scale of 1-5 based on the following factors.

• Gentleness of Formula – Some sulfate-free shampoos also contain sulfocccinates or cocamide MEA which are milder versions of surfactants. So I checked if the shampoos are free of these.
• Sodium Chloride Free – This ingredient strips keratin from hair leaving hair dry. So I noted if the shampoos were free from sodium chloride salt as well.
• Hair Benefits – I also rated shampoos with more hair benefits (like color protection, smoothening, damage repair, etc.) higher than just regular cleansers

Top Sulphate Free Shampoo For Keratin Treated Hair 2022

If you are planning to make the switch to sulphate-free shampoos for your keratin-treated hair, we have listed some of the best shampoos available in the market. 

Videri Peppermint & Tea Tree Shampoo 

• A sulfate-free shampoo that has been formulated to cleanse and hydrate dry scalp and hair.
• Packed with ingredients such as fatty acid-rich Rosehip, soothing Aloe, calming Chamomile, and moisturizing Provitamin B5.
• Safe for color and chemical treated hair
• Rosehip Seed Oil, which is full of Omega 3 & 6 fatty acids and Vitamin C to nourish the scalp

Attributes:

• Vegan
• No Added Sulfates
• No Added Phthalates
• No Added Parabens

Rosehip Seed Oil, which is full of Omega 3 & 6 fatty acids and Vitamin C to nourish the scalp

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Guys, I loved this shampoo just the first time I tried it. I got it because it promised to be “natural” and was free of sulfates but it delivered on every promise.

I absolutely adore the lightweight formula. There are no heavy oils here. Just aloe vera and glycerin that nourish your hair without leaving your newly-straightened tresses looking lank.

Most shampoos, no matter how gentle they claim to be have added perfumes, but I was pleasantly surprised to see that this product contains scent from essential oils. So that was a huge plus for me!

I used it several times a week without fear of making my hair dry.

In my opinion there is no downside to this shampoo. I do, however, suggest something more nourishing if you have dry hair as this is very lightweight. But other than that this product suits all hair types.

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Pros:

• Natural, sulfate-free formula is safe for sensitive scalp and color-treated hair
• No added perfumes, scent is from essential oil sources
• Contains aloe vera that hydrates hair without leaving it greasy
• Contains glycerin that is a humectant and adds moisture to even low porosity hair
• Vegan

Cons:

• None that I could see

My Ratings:

• Gentleness of Formula – 5/5
• Smoothening Effect – 4/5
• Hair Benefits – 4.5/5

Is it Sodium Chloride-Free? – Yes

In additional, try out their newly formulated Lemon Sage & Tea Tree Shampoo. (*out of stock at the moment). Watch out this space for review.

Read about the founder’s journey HERE.

LuxeOrganic Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner

I reviewed this product as it contains argan oil and I was looking for a natural shampoo.

I need to tell you that this Moroccan Argan oil shampoo and conditioner combo are one of the best combos I have used on my keratin-treated hair. 

What impressed me most is that is one of the few shampoos with no sodium chloride or sulphates. These ingredients are a strict no-no for your keratin-treated hair so I was excited to get my hands on these. 

When I first used the shampoo, I did notice my hair to be a little rough and knotty but the conditioner fixed it all. My hair was super smooth and clean after using this combo. 

 This shampoo also works great for people with naturally curly hair. The ingredients list boasts of Moroccan oil which is an excellent hydrating ingredient for your hair. 

So are there any downsides? Just one! I thought the citrus scent was a bit much. I personally love fresh, fruity scents but it might not be everyone’s cup of tea.

Pros:

• Suitable for all hair types including curly/Afro
• Doesn’t weigh your hair down as it’s lightweight in formula
• Contains argan oil that moisturizes hair
• Both sodium chloride and sulphate-free.
• Contains vitamin B5 that thickens hair strands
• Cruelty-free so good for animal lovers
• Paraben, gluten and phthalates-free, so it’s safe for sensitive hair and scalp

Cons:

• It has a citrusy scent that might not suit everyone

My Ratings:

• Gentleness of Formula – 4.5/5
• Smoothening Effect – 4/5
• Hair Benefits – 4.5/5

Is it Sodium Chloride-Free? – Yes

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Art Naturals Organic Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner 

This is another combo that worked its magic on my keratin-treated hair. I liked that is enriched with so many nourishing ingredients like argan oil and despite this, it left me with squeaky clean moisturised hair.

What also impressed me is that this is a plant-based shampoo and it contains all-natural ingredients like Argan oil, Aloe vera, Vitamins, and Shea butter. So there’s no sodium chloride here as well.

I liked that it also contains botanical extracts like Articum, Rosemary, and Thyme. 

On using, I found that this shampoo helped improve the look of my keratin-treated hair. All of these ingredients are excellent hydrating agents that made my hair smooth and silky. 

It has a very subtle scent that I loved. I did not irritate my scalp and cause any type of itching and inflammation. 

But if you have a very sensitive scalp, the added perfume might be a problem.

Pros:

• Contains natural oils that nourish dry hair
• Affordable price compared to other keratin-infused shampoos
• Paraben, sulphate and cruelty-free so good for sensitive scalp
• Suitable for all hair types as it’s nourishing and light
• Colour safe as it does’t contain sulfates
• Does not make the hair greasy as it’s lightweight

Cons

• Scented with artificial fragrance so not for sensitive scalps

My Ratings:

• Gentleness of Formula – 4/5
• Smoothening Effect – 4/5
• Hair Benefits – 4.5/5

Is it Sodium Chloride-Free? – Yes

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OGX Brazilian Keratin Smooth Shampoo

OGX is such a famous drugstore brand that it enjoys cult-level popularity. So you know I had to try it on my keratin-treated hair. 

I have previously used other shampoos from OGX before getting a keratin done, I wanted to try the Brazilian Keratin Smooth to see if it lived up to the hype.

Well first, let me tell you what I liked. It is enriched with nourishing ingredients like coconut oil, avocado oil and cocoa butter. And I found that it kept my hair moisturised and shiny after use.

But the best part is that they contain keratin proteins that help in improving the keratin treatment on your hair. 

Now, what’s the issue? Well, it’s a little too nourishing. So if you have an oily scalp or really fine hair, you can find yourself with greasy limp hair pretty easily.

See also  8 Best Leave In Conditioners 2022 | Turn Dry, Frizzy Hair Glossy and Soft!

Also, the shampoo isn’t really sodium chloride-free. But that was kind of expected from this shampoo at such a low price range. Well, you can’t have everything!

Pros:

• Makes hair soft and shiny as it contains coconut and avocado oil
• Does not make the hair greasy despite being nourishing
• Colour safe as it’s free of harsh surfactants

Cons:

• Not sodium chloride free, so it can make hair dry

My Ratings:

• Gentleness of Formula – 4/5
• Smoothening Effect – 4.5/5
• Hair Benefits – 3.5/5

Is it Sodium Chloride-Free? – No

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Arvazallia Advanced Hair Repair Shampoo

My keratin treated hair was looking a bit too dry and dull. So I decided to get not only an sulfate-free shampooo but the whole Arvazallia advanced hair repair system that contains a shampoo, conditioner and a hair mask.

It promised to restore and strengthen my chemically treated hair, and frankly it kept that promise!

It left my hair a lot smoother and I could see the split ends reducing as well.

Also when I used the shampoo, I did not notice a lot of lather but it cleaned my scalp and hair pretty well. I also loved how the conditioner helps in detangling my hair while in the shower. A big plus for me!

To sum it up, I think this is a great product for people who have done multiple chemical treatments such as colouring and keratin treatment. 

If you do not want to waste time selecting individual hair products for keratin treated hair, you should simply go for the Azarvallia system instead.

The mask has a very thick consistency and revives your dead ends. I experienced professional quality results with this kit. 

Although this kit is on the pricier side, you get so much for the money you pay so I would admit that it is worth it. 

Pros:

• Contains natural argan oil that nourishes dry hair
• Suitable for chemically damaged hair as it helps repair damage
• Does not weigh down hair despite nourishing formula
• Improves elasticity of hair with regular use

Cons:

• Mask has an overpowering smell

My Ratings:

• Gentleness of Formula – 3.5/5
• Smoothening Effect – 4.5/5
• Hair Benefits – 3.5/5

Is it Sodium Chloride-Free? – Yes

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Keratin Complex Keratin Colour Care Duo

I decided to use this shampoo because I had colored hair and keratin-treated hair. This duo was specifically made for that and they did not let me down. 

I liked how my keratin-treated hair looked instantly shiny and frizz free in just one wash. But then this product is heavy on silicones like Amedimethicone and polyquarternium-7. While these are harmless ingredients in themselves, I don’t like how it builds up on my hair.

Other than that the formula was very cleansing yet mild. There are milder form of surfactants like cocamidopropyl betaine that clarifies hair without stripping hair dye or moisture.

This is one of those products that help in maintaining your keratin-treated hair for a long time. 

It helped my keratin last for weeks, but unfortunately it also felt very drying in the long run.

Although this combo is expensive, a little goes a long way for this so it will last long.

But the worst part about the shampoo has to be the smell. Gosh. It was so overpowering and chemically. I’d have actually welcomed the addition of synthetic perfume in this one case.

Pros:

• Sodium chloride free so it won’t hurt keratin treated hair
• Suitable for all hair types as it’s both nourishing and lightweight
• Reduces frizz greatly as it contains silicone-heavy formula
• Colour safe thanks to the lack of harsh surfactants

Cons:

• Unpleasant smell that lingers after use
• Can lead to product buildup due to the heavy use of silicones
• Contains alcohol that can dry hair with frequent use

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 Keratin Research Shampoo and Conditioner

The Keratin Research shampoo and conditioner duo gave me soft hair in a single wash.

It is enriched with nourishing ingredients like Keratin, Hydrolyzed Keratin and Amino acids that will make your keratin-treated hair shiny and frizz-free. 

Although it doesn’t have an appealing scent, it works well on keratin-treated hair. 

Pros:

• Affordable
• Lightweight
• Sodium chloride and sulphate-free
• Suitable for all hair types

See also  Moroccanoil vs. Redken Comparison | Which Is Better For Your Frizzy Hair 2022?

Cons:

• Contains Olefin Sulfonate (a milder surfactant)

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L’oreal Paris Everpure Shampoo

The L’oreal Paris ever pure shampoo and conditioner are enriched with the goodness of Rosemary. 

The shampoo lathered well and cleaned my scalp and coloured hair without stripping off the colour. 

The products are vegan and they have a soothing scent that is a pleasure to your senses. 

It also manages to tackle frizzy hair so this will be a good investment for keratin-treated hair. 

Pros:

• Affordable
• Contains rosemary
• Sulphate free
• Lathers well
• Suitable for all hair types

Cons:

• Not completely natural 

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Maple Holistics Argan Oil Shampoo

Argan Oil is one of the best ingredients your hair products could have and this shampoo is rich in it. 

It reduced the oily and greasy look of my hair while making it squeaky clean. 

Another thing that I loved about this shampoo is that it made my hair voluminous. 

When you do keratin treatment, your hair might look flat and limp so this one provided a solution for that. 

It is enriched with vitamins A, D and E and natural oils such as Almond, peach kernel, Argan, Jojoba and Camilla seed. 

Pros:

• Removes frizz
• No artificial colours
• Contains natural oils and vitamins

Cons:

• Might dry out your hair

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Why you should use a sulphate free shampoo for keratin treated hair

If you haven’t found enough reasons to stop using shampoos with sulphates, let us take an in-depth look into some of the benefits of sulphate-free shampoos. 

Strengthens hair

When your hair ends up being dry and brittle, it becomes fragile and thin. This will lead to a spike in hair fall. 

Sulphate-free shampoos, on the other hand, can help in avoiding this issue and make your hair stronger. 

They also contain many natural ingredients that can reinforcee the strength of your hair roots and make them immune to hair fall and breakage. 

Reduces scalp irritation

Excessive chemicals in any hair products are bad news for those with a sensitive scalp.  If you have a sensitive scalp, sulphates can aggravate your issues. 

You can experience itching and dryness of the scalp after using such chemical loaded hair products. But using a sulphate-free shampoo alone cannot fix your scalp issues. 

There are other harmful chemicals like parabens and mineral oils that could result in scalp inflammations and irritations.  

Protects hair color

Hair colour can fade quickly as you wash your hair, especially with shampoo. Most of them only stay intact for three to four washes. 

Sulphates are harsh chemicals that have the potential to make your hair colour fade. Using a shampoo with sulphates has a greater chance of stripping colour from your hair. 

Since most sulphate-free shampoos are colour safe, you do not have to worry about this. 

It preserves the permanent or semi-permanent colour on your hair and does not wash it off while showering. 

Doesn’t strip the natural moisture from your hair

This is perhaps the most important benefit of a sulphate free shampoo. Our scalp produces natural oils that are necessary to have healthy hair growth. 

When you use regular shampoo with sulphates, it dehydrates your hair in the process of cleaning by stripping these oils from your strands.

A sulphate-free shampoo can balance the moisture on your scalp and protect your hair from being dry and brittle. 

Sulphates are strong chemicals that can strip the natural moisture from your hair. 

It is an ingredient that can adversely affect your keratin-treated hair so make sure that you never use hair products with sulphates in them.

These harsh surfactants will make your hair dry, brittle and rough. 

If you’re shampoos with sulphates, it can also affect the quality of your Keratin treatment. 

Plus, if you have a sensitive scalp, it can also lead to scalp irritations and inflammations. 

So I always recommend using a sulphate free shampoo for keratin treated hair to keep your tresses silky straight and soft. 

Also Read:

When Can I Wash My Hair After Keratin Treatment

Can You Curl Your Hair After Keratin Treatment

What Not To Do After Keratin Treatment

How To Use Keratin Treatment At Home

OGX Ever Straightening + Brazilian Keratin Therapy Smoothing Shampoo

The best sulphate free shampoo for keratin treated hair prevents dryness, frizz, and damage. The OGX Ever Straightening + Brazilian Keratin Therapy Smoothing Shampoo suits all hair types.

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