How do you identify sulfates in hair products?

Author: Rossie Morar  |  Last update: Tuesday, January 6, 2026

If you want to determine whether sulfates are present in a shampoo, you can check the ingredient list on the product's packaging. Sulfates are usually listed under various names.

How to tell if a hair product has sulfates?

Check the Ingredients List: Look at the back of the shampoo bottle for the ingredients list. Sulfates commonly appear as ``sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS),'' ``sodium laureth sulfate (SLES),'' or ``ammonium lauryl sulfate.'' If you see any of these ingredients, the shampoo contains sulfates.

How are sulfates listed in ingredients?

To identify them in our products, take a look at the ingredients list on packaging. They can be found under names such as SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE (SLS), SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE (SLES), AMMONIUM LAURYL SULFATE. The most commonly used ones are SLS and SLES.

What are sulfates called in hair products?

You'll often find them within the first five to ten ingredients of a list. The most common sulfates you may encounter in shampoos and other hair products are: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)

How do you identify sulfate?

Testing for sulfate ions

add a few drops of dilute barium chloride or barium nitrate solution. a white precipitate. forms if sulfate ions are present.

How to Pick the Right Shampoo

What is the identification test for sulphate ion?

Test for sulfate (SO42-)

When aqueous barium chloride is added to an acidified solution containing sulfate ions, an insoluble precipitate of BaSO4 results. This precipitate is white in color and confirms the presence of sulfate.

Which sulfates to avoid?

The main concern for sulfates, however, is their potential to form carcinogens that can ultimately lead to kidney damage and hormone disruption. The next time you shop, look on the label for Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)—these are the main sulfates to avoid.

Does Olaplex have sulfates?

Olaplex is paraben-free, sulfate-free, phthalate-free, gluten-free, vegan, nut free and completely colour safe. Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector is made with our patented technology dramatically improving the condition of every type of hair.

Is biolage sulfate-free?

Biolage Bond Therapy Sulfate-Free Shampoo for overprocessed, damaged hair builds bonds from the inside out. Infused with coconut oil and citric acid, nourishes hair and reinforces weak bonds leaving hair stronger, softer, and intensely conditioned without feeling weighed down.

How are sulfites listed on labels?

Basically, if the food contains ≥ 10 ppm total SO2, then sulfite must be declared on the label. This will most typically occur when sulfite is deliberately added to the food. The specific name of the additive (e.g. sodium bisulfite) must be declared in the case of use as an intentional ingredient.

Which shampoo is really sulfate-free?

Sulfate and Paraben-Free Shampoos
  • daeDesert Detox Clarifying Shampoo. ...
  • MoroccanoilHydrating Shampoo. ...
  • BriogeoScalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-exfoliating Scalp Scrub Shampoo. ...
  • Living ProofPerfect hair Day (PhD) Hydrating Shampoo. ...
  • Crown AffairThe Volumizing Shampoo for Oily, Flat Hair.

Which is worse, sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate?

While SLS is effective but can cause irritation, SLES offers a gentler alternative, particularly for sensitive skin or scalp. Ultimately, making informed choices based on individual preferences and skin needs is key to maintaining healthy, beautiful skin and hair.

How do you find sulfates in ingredients?

How to identify sulfates? If you want to determine whether sulfates are present in a shampoo, you can check the ingredient list on the product's packaging. Sulfates are usually listed under various names.

What are the bad sulfates for hair?

Sulfates are a common ingredient found in personal care products. The most common types of sulfates are Sodium Lauryl Sulfates (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfates (SLES). While sulfates can help cleanse your hair, they can also cause it to become dry, frizzy, or brittle.

Does Dove shampoo have sulfates?

Dove Hair Therapy is a hair care range that you can actually trust. Inspired by high-performance skincare, the sulfate-free shampoos and paraben-free conditioners will bring the luxury of more expensive products into your shower at a more affordable price.

Why not use Olaplex?

The group also claimed that Olaplex's products have allergens and irritants in them, which the group believes caused hair loss, allergic reactions, open sores, bald spots, and hair that is dry, brittle, frizzy, and dull.

What do sulfates do to your hair?

While sulfates can help cleanse your hair, they might do their job a little too well and can pull too much natural oil from your hair and skin. This can cause your hair to feel dry, frizzy, or brittle. Another common complaint about sulfates is that they can potentially dry out and irritate your scalp.

What is the lawsuit against Olaplex shampoo?

The lawsuit alleges that the Olaplex products they used resulted, in certain instances, in bald patches, allergic outbreaks, open wounds, and hair that is “dry, brittle, frizzy, and lifeless.” One claimant alleges in the lawsuit that the treatments gave her hair an appearance akin to being “hacked with a string trimmer ...

What is the healthiest shampoo to use?

Whether you're looking for a sulfate-free shampoo or fragrance-free conditioner, these clean beauty brands are a great place to start.
  • Odele.
  • Ursa Major.
  • 100% Pure.
  • SheaMoisture.
  • Hello Bello.
  • Clean Clean.
  • Kelsen.
  • Yodi.

What is the most gentle sulfate?

SLES otherwise known as Sodium Laureth Sulfate and ALS otherwise known as Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate are commonly used in professional shampoos and are much gentler cleansing agents, allowing your hair to feel clean with less likelihood of skin irritation.

What ingredient in shampoo causes itchy scalp?

Here are five hair care ingredients that may be causing your itchy scalp:
  • Fragrance and masking fragrance. Fragrances are often added to hair care products to give them a pleasant scent. ...
  • Botanicals. ...
  • Methylchloroisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone (MCI/MI) ...
  • Formaldehyde Releasers. ...
  • Dyes.

How to identify sulfates?

Testing for Sulfate Ions
  1. To acidify the sample, add a few drops of dilute hydrochloric acid (HCl).
  2. Then, add a few drops of dilute barium chloride (BaCl2) solution to the sample.
  3. If sulfate ions are present in the solution, a white precipitate of barium sulfate (BaSO4) will form. The reaction is:

How to test for sulfates?

Testing for sulfate ions

You first acidify the solution you are testing with dilute hydrochloric acid and then add barium chloride solution. If you have a sulfate, you will get a white precipitate of insoluble barium sulfate.

How to do a brown ring test?

The brown ring test is a typical nitrate test that involves adding iron(II) sulphate to a nitrate solution, then slowly adding strong sulfuric acid until the acid forms a layer below the aqueous solution. The existence of the nitrate ion will be shown by the formation of a brown ring at the junction of the two layers.

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