8 best brands for sulphate- and paraben-free hair care

You might have seen bottles of shampoo and conditioner labelled as sulphate- and paraben-free, but what does this actually mean when it comes to what we put on our hair? 

What are sulphates? 

Most of us will have shower gels, soaps, shampoos and cleaning products in our bathroom and kitchen cupboards that contain synthetic detergents. The likes of sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), sodium laureth sulphate (SLES), ammonium lareth sulphate and myreth sulphate. These are synthetic, inexpensive detergents that are very effective at removing dirt and also help provide that soapy lather we’ve come to expect when we wash our hair. 

In some cases, they can dry out hair, irritate sensitive skin and make eczema worse, so some brands choose to use gentler alternatives. 

Typically, sulphate-free products might not lather as much as others containing synthetic foaming agents, so those with finer locks may find they need to give hair two washes. 

What are parabens? 

Parabens are preservatives used in cosmetics to give them a longer shelf life and you’ll find them in most products in your make-up bag – without them your favourite foundations, powders and eye-shadows would grow mould and bacteria. There have been studies linking parabens to breast cancer, though currently parabens are not proven to be harmful and are considered safe at low levels.

Due to demand from customers, a growing number of brands are producing shampoos and conditioners free from sulphates and parabens. For most of the brands here, that’s the case across the entire range, while some offer free-from lines within a bigger collection.

Our testers, with a mix of hair types, tried these out over a course of weeks to see how they fared on hair manageability, shine, softness and any other concerns the product claimed to address. 

Kind Natured products are at the lower end of the price spectrum for paraben- and sulphate-free offerings using natural extracts. Made in England, there are five formulations with various natural heroes for different hair types and common problem areas; bamboo and sea kelp for smoothing curls and rosemary and mint for giving volume to flat hair, for example. There are also two-in-one options for kids if you have any little hair-washing refuseniks in the house. 

IndyBest Pick: Volumising Rosemary and Mint Shampoo, 250ml: £4.99, Kind Natured

Unlike some other paraben-free shampoos, we found this gave a decent amount of lather with just a tiny bit of product. We also could really smell the natural ingredients – rosemary mixed with shower steam for a spa-like vibe, and the mint left our hair feeling squeaky clean, which really lasted: a godsend for oil-prone girls. We also found there was no need to give our usual volumising blow-dry, which helped save time in the morning rush. We tried this in conjunction with the conditioner in the range. 

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Davines started in a research laboratory in Italy, producing hair products for other brands. It launched its own line in 1996, using high-quality natural ingredients where possible. Now the entire range is paraben- and sulphate-free, as well as vegan, with an emphasis on minimising impact on the environment where it can. There are lines for all hair types and the brand gets kudos for its chic packaging – think traditional apothecary with a distinctive modern twist, so dark amber bottles with intricately illustrated, colourful labels.

Indybest Pick: NaturalTech Renewing Shampoo, 250ml: £16.50, Liberty

We were surprised by the amount of lather we got from this shampoo, part of the brand’s “NaturalTech” range. It promises to increase body, softness and shine, as well as protect against hair and scalp ageing. We’ve been using this on our thick, straight, shoulder-length hair every other day for the last couple of months combined with the renewing conditioning treatment in the same range and we’ve never had so many compliments about our hair looking shiny, and it’s been easy to manage without as much frizzy as usual.  We can’t say whether it’s taken years off our scalp, but we’re going to keep using it, which is a seal of approval.

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Hailing from San Francisco, this slick haircare brand counts David Beckham and Bruno Mars among its celebrity fans. Hans de Fuko uses natural and organic ingredients and is best known for its styling waxes – “Quicksand”, the wax-dry shampoo hybrid is the hero product – and there is just one shampoo and conditioner in the range. The white bottles, mint green cap and bold black font ups the cool factor, if looks are important.  

IndyBest Pick: Natural Shampoo, 237ml: £16, Mankind

The shampoo contains 16 pure natural plant extracts, all of which are listed on the bottle, so you know what you’re getting. The likes of spearmint, apple, cactus, acai and avocado combine for an invigorating minty-fresh scent. You get a decent lather and while at first our hair seemed slightly dryer than usual, we persevered and after a week or so of use, our locks were shiny, bouncy and easy to manage. We combined with the conditioner and although the bottles look small, you don’t need to use much. While the brand is marketed at men, we think ladies will like it too. Hans de Fuko suggests doubling it up as a body wash, which is a good idea if you want to minimise your wash bag, but seems quite extravagant at this price.  

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The Organic Pharmacy is best known for its high-end skincare using pharmaceutical-grade organic herbal extracts. The range is produced in the UK and has a small hair care line that uses the same organic, naturally-derived ingredients. There is a jasmine-infused range for all hair types and a rose line formulated to combat dryness. 

IndyBest Pick: Jasmine High Gloss Shampoo, 200ml: £25.95, The Organic Pharmacy

It say the jojoba in this helps condition and keep locks glossy, while a combo of aloe and herbal extracts strengthen. Used along with the conditioner in the same range, we found it was effective on our limp, dry ends. The texture had a thinner consistency than our usual shampoo so a little went a long way for each wash. The jasmine scent was quite strong, so while we found it uplifting, it may not be to everyone’s taste. 

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Morroccanoil’s signature argan oil-infused treatment has long been a go-to for many women to help restore damaged locks to a shiny, manageable state. The range now extends to products for hair and body using the same antioxidant-rich oil, including paraben- and sulphate-free shampoos and conditioners for different hair types. All come in the brand’s distinctive turquoise and orange packaging.   

IndyBest Pick: Moroccanoil Hydrating Conditioner, 250ml: £17.75, Look Fantastic

This really does what it says on the tin. Although our hair has lost a lot of its natural wave over the years, we were surprised when a handful of curls appeared after using this. Aside from the restoration of that natural bounce, our hair felt soft and clean after use, thanks to its hydrating ingredients such as argan oil and moisture-attracting red algae. We used in conjunction with the hydrating shampoo.  

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L’Oreal-owned Kerastase launched Aura Bontanica in January. The four-product range is made from 98 per cent natural ingredients and is free of silicones, parabens and sulphates, with bottles made from recycled plastic.

IndyBest Pick:Aura Botanica Soin Fondamental Deep Conditioning Treatment: £24.40, Look Fantastic

This rich and creamy conditioner impressed for its frizz-taming ability, leaving hair soft and smooth. Don’t be deceived if it doesn’t feel very silky when applied onto wet hair as our tester found that their hair felt strong and frizz-free once it was dry. This one is rich in natural oils including argan, coconut and sweet orange, and smells just as good as it sounds. There’s also a shampoo in the same range. 

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Aveda’s founder was ahead of the curve when it came to promoting wellness and going for a holistic approach to beauty. The brand aims to minimise its impact on the environment where possible and uses naturally derived ingredients with a high percentage of organic certified essential oils and raw herbal complexes. Aveda has five sulphate-free hair care lines tackling different needs, including a range formulated for men. 

IndyBest Pick: Aveda Men Pure-formance Shampoo, 300ml: £19.50, Aveda

The first thing that strikes you with this product is the spicy citrus aroma, which provides a refreshing wake-up in the morning or a welcome boost after a long day in the office. It’s foamier than other sulphate-free options, creating a feel of a real deep clean. We found it left our short hair feeling more revatalised than cheaper high street alternatives. We used it in conjunction with the conditioner in the same range and have kept using it since the test period. 

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Launched in Melbourne in 2007, Sukin’s founders were on a mission to fill the gap in the market for affordable, natural skincare. Made with natural-derived ingredients, the brand strives to be as environmentally friendly as possible. There are three shampoos and conditioners in the range, each tackling different concerns – purifying, moisture restoring, strengthening, all with natural ingredients that you’ll recognise; cocoa butter, nettle and chamomile all feature. All products are cruelty-free and packaging is biodegradable.   

IndyBest Pick: Sukin Purifying Shampoo, 500ml: £13.20, Feelunique.com

This was thicker than our usual shampoo so took a bit more attention to apply but was incredibly gentle on the scalp, and soothed itchiness. The likes of aloe vera and nettle left a subtle, but not overpowering perfume on the hair. 

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The Verdict: Paraben- and sulphate-free hair care brands 

If you’re on a budget, Kind Natured offers gentle, effective hair care with spa-like natural scents, with options for all the family. For salon-quality shampoo and conditioner, we’d try Davines. The Italian brand has best-in-class products for every hair type and concern. 

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