Best sulphate-free shampoos 2022: For natural hair and extensions

Best: Overall

Rating: 10/10

From its minimalist packaging to the cornflower blue hue of the product inside, this shampoo is a wonderful choice from the get-go.

We took a dollop of the shampoo, which is thick and creamy, and massaged it through our roots. It produced a soft lather, with delicate bubbles, and it didn’t take long to rinse all of the shampoo out – despite its rich consistency, it didn’t leave any residue behind.

When we dried off our hair, it was left looking silky and noticeably healthier than before. It’s full of active natural ingredients which work to reduce breakage and improve the hair’s flexibility – fantastic if you’re trying to grow your hair longer. However, we think this shampoo would work for a range of different hair types and lengths, especially those who need a little extra care due to damage or dryness.

And, since we are all trying to be a little greener these days, we were happy to see that the ingredients in Davines’s melu shampoo are all vegan, while the packaging is 100 per cent carbon neutral and recyclable.

Best: For coloured hair

Rating: 9/10

Whether you opt for grey-coverage, highlights or a quirky shade, colouring your hair does unfortunately cause damage – so it’s important to opt for products that will protect both your strands, and your chosen hue.

Color Wow products are formulated specifically to care for coloured hair, helping to preserve dyes and reduce the impact of chemical treatments. This sulphate-free shampoo is a gentle cleanser that creates a creamy, delicious-smelling foam, making wash days a delight.

We massaged it into our scalp and noticed that it removed dirt and build-up from using hair styling products. After blow-drying, we found that our hair was soft to the touch and even looked shinier than usual.

This shampoo would be particularly good for shades that are prone to fading, such as rainbow brights, reds and deep brunettes. And, after a trip to the salon, it’s definitely worth the investment – think of it like insurance for your new hair.

Best: For adding shine

Buy shampoo now £21, Cultbeauty.co.uk

Buy conditioner now £21, Cultbeauty.co.uk

As big fans of Drunk Elephant’s skincare, we were incredibly excited when it branched out to hair last April. We weren’t disappointed – its cocomino shampoo lathers well and left our hair super shiny (in a good, non-greasy way). Make sure you’re thoroughly washing it out though, as it’s quite harsh on the ends.

As for the conditioner, it did a good job of reviving our weary hair, especially when left on for five minutes as a deep conditioning treatment. We also loved the scent but anyone with an aversion to the smell of marzipan might want to give them a miss. They’re also both free of parabens and sulphates.

Best: For curly hair

Rating: 8/10

Although sulphates can be damaging to all hair types, many hairdressers recommend that people with curly hair are particularly wary of them (check out the Curly Girl Method if you’re not already clued up on it). A sulphate-free haircare routine is a great way to help keep your curls and waves under control.

The John Frieda frizz ease range has been around for almost 30 years, and is unparalleled when it comes to budget-friendly products that tame wayward hair. This shampoo, along with its sister conditioner (£5.99, Boots.com), certainly lives up to its long heritage.

We took a dollop of the product, and applied it to our wet hair, rubbing it until a light foam appeared. After washing, our hair felt clean, but it hadn’t been stripped down – rather, it felt as if it had been gently cleansed.

We allowed our hair to dry naturally and found that our waves looked healthy, and even a little bouncy, with a good level of definition. Plus, the usual fuzziness was dramatically reduced, thanks to the shampoo’s inclusion of rosehip oil which adds moisture without weighing the hair down.

Best: For fine hair

Rating: 8/10

Maria Nila is fast becoming a cult favourite in the beauty world, and for good reason – the Stockholm brand’s all-vegan products are both effective and a joy to use. This pastel pink bottle is sure to cheer up your bathroom shelves, and the formula inside makes a great foundation for a body-boosting haircare routine.

The rose-coloured shampoo is a little thinner in consistency than other shampoos, so we were careful when dispensing it into our hands. However, its viscosity allowed us to easily spread it around our scalp, and move it around our head. The foam created is light and fluffy, and smells lightly fruity.

After rinsing off, we allowed our hair to dry naturally, and were pleased to see that it looked voluminous and healthy. There wasn’t a hint of greasiness, and our hair even felt a little bit stronger – a major bonus for hair that sometimes feels a little fragile.

Best: Luxury buy

Rating: 8/10

Virtue’s recovery shampoo is a deluxe buy full of reparative ingredients that aims to transform lacklustre hair. It not only contains quinoa and grapefruit extract, but is also packed with the brand’s patented human keratin technology, which adds protein to repair hair strand-by-strand.

This shampoo’s packaging is reminiscent of a high-end moisturiser – it even feels luxurious as you squeeze it. We didn’t need to use too much as this rich formula is very thick, almost like toffee both in colour and consistency.

Rubbing it into our hair, we found that it foamed up a little less than regular shampoos, but given its density, this wasn’t surprising. It feels more akin to a cleansing treatment than a daily wash, and this is the perfect way to add a sense of indulgence to your haircare routine. We think it will work especially well for fine to medium hair that needs some TLC, thanks to its strengthening properties.

Luxury like this doesn’t come cheap – but if you want to treat yourself (or a loved-one) to an excellent product that will really protect your hair’s integrity first, then this is the way to do it.

Best: For blondes

Rating: 9/10

Purple shampoo is an excellent way to maintain your blonde hair, and this offering from Kevin Murphy is one of the best out there.

The pearlescent formula shimmers under the light, and is bursting with a sweet fragrance that is never overpowering. We applied it to our hair and left it to work its magic for around three minutes. Not only is it free from sulphates, which can damage already brittle blonde hair, but it also contains shea butter, meaning that it deeply hydrates while it tones your strands.

The result is hair that looks like we stepped straight out of the salon. Gone are the tell-tale yellow tones that show how long it’s been since we last visited the hairdresser, and in their place are cool, platinum highlights that are shiny and natural-looking. We recommend investing in a bottle and using it once a week, or every three to four washes, to keep your blonde looking brilliant.

Best: For gorgeous smelling hair

Rating: 9/10

With its deep, coffee-coloured bottle and minimalist white label, this shampoo from Swedish brand Sachajuan is a truly stylish pick. In place of the sulphates, this shampoo contains ocean silk which is said to nourish and protect the hair. It also contains UV and heat protectants to further promote hair health and keep it in excellent condition.

We used a generous dollop of the formula to wash our locks, and found that it foamed up well. The fresh, energising scent means this shampoo is a great way to start the day, and our hair was left feeling wonderfully clean.

After rinsing and drying, our hair felt plumper than usual, and it was a good way to prep our tresses for a voluminous style. It stayed in place and didn’t fall flat, even hours later. And, as an added bonus, the scent lasted all day – with each swish of our hair providing a subtle burst of fragrance.

Best: For dry hair

Rating: 9/10

Moroccanoil is known for its line of products infused with argan oil, which has been used for centuries to hydrate wayward tresses. The sulphate-free moisture repair shampoo is infused with the hero ingredient, and is a great choice for hair-wash day if your strands are prone to feeling parched.

The silky formula has the same scent Moroccanoil devotees will associate with the brand, and we were pleased to see how well it foamed up on our scalp. After working it through our hair and rinsing, we found that it had cleaned well without compromising on hydration – a very welcome result.

We dried off our hair and noticed that it felt smoother than usual, with fewer flyaways and a glossy quality. It might be a little too intense for those with thin hair, but thick hair will drink up this nourishing product. And, for even better results, you can couple the shampoo with the equally hard-working Moroccanoil moisture repair conditioner.