6 Sulfate-Free Shampoos for Natural Hair

Have you ever heard people say that you shouldn’t use shampoos for natural hair? Why wouldn’t you use something that is meant to remove product build-up and dirt?

A clean scalp leads to healthy hair growth — dirty hair will get you nowhere on your journey.

One thing I’ve seen many complain about is how shampoo leaves their hair feeling stripped. I hate that squeaky feeling as much as anyone else, however, you can’t expect to properly cleanse your hair and scalp if you skip out on this step.

Here are a few things I do in my routine to prevent shampoo from stripping my curls:

• Pre-poo the night before
• Follow up with a rinse-out conditioner
• Deep condition every wash day

In this post, I want to share 6 shampoos for natural hair that have helped get my curls and scalp clean without causing dryness or irritation.

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Shampoos for Natural Hair

Melanin Haircare African Black Soap

One of the first shampoos for natural hair that I recommend is the African Black Soap from Melanin Haircare.

Although it’s perfect for removing product build-up, it won’t leave your hair dried out. Here are some benefits of using African Black Soap:

• Promotes softness + manageability
• Alleviates itching + dandruff
• Provides healing benefits
• Promotes healthy hair growth

The shampoo has an applicator tip which makes it easier to reach the scalp. A little goes a long way and the lather is amazing!

I don’t know about you, but I love when my shampoos lather well. It makes me feel like my hair is getting properly cleaned.

I use this once a month in my regimen when I need to give my curls a fresh start.

Nature’s Little Secret Cucumber Shampoo

When I first heard about the Cucumber Shampoo from Nature’s Little Secret, I was excited to try it!

Cucumbers are great for providing hydration since they’re rich in water content. They also soothe scalp conditions and provide nutrients that help promote healthy hair growth.

This nourishing shampoo provides a gentle cleanse without leaving your hair stripped. It’ll provide plenty of moisture and soft curls.

I love the rich lather that it provides and the fresh Cucumber fragrance that lingers.

Chocolate Kinks & Kurls Clay Washes

Using clay on your natural hair will help you detox, remove product build-up, and provide conditioning effects. Some clays that are popular to use are Bentonite and Rhassoul.

Chocolate Kinks & Kurls has been my go-to brand for pre-made clay washes. Sometimes I don’t feel like mixing up a DIY and it’s great to have a product to quickly reach for on wash day.

She has a variety of clay washes to choose from such as:

• Bentonite Clay
• Rhassoul Clay
• Aloha Rose Clay
• Green Clay & Mint
• Red Clay & Hibiscus

Clay washes are great to use when your curls need a reset. I love using these at the beginning of each month!

Dominican Curly Luna Rose Bar

Shampoo bars remove product build-up and leave your hair moisturized and soft. They’re packed with nourishing ingredients and oils that’ll benefit the overall health of your hair and scalp.

Here are more benefits of using shampoo bars:

• More convenient + easier to use
• Environmentally conscious
• Contains all-natural ingredients
• Doesn’t take up a lot of space

Dominican Curly is a brand I’ve been supporting for a while now. I love her Ayurvedic oil and Hibiscus Hair tea — I was super excited when I heard she launched a shampoo bar.

It’s a great cleanser for all hair types, provides an amazing lather, and will leave your curls moisturized, strengthened, and nourished.

Nature’s Little Secret Lemon & Rosemary

Another must-have from Nature’s Little Secret is the Lemon & Rosemary Clarifying Shampoo.

This shampoo is formulated with lemon and rosemary and helps to remove dirt, oil, and product build-up without stripping the hair.

Here are more benefits:

• Balances the pH of your scalp
• Adds long-lasting moisture
• Perfect for all hair types/textures
• Doesn’t leave your hair squeaky

Using a clarifying shampoo will allow your hair to absorb other products more effectively and help your scalp to breathe. It’s good to use this when your hair needs a fresh start!

TreLuxe Curl Renew & Restore

Another great cleanser is the Curl Renew & Restore Gentle Cleanser from Treluxe. It’s formulated with plant-based cleansing ingredients that’ll gently lift build-up and dirt without disturbing the natural pH balance of your hair.

Here are some benefits of using this shampoo:

• Increases curl elasticity
• Hydrates the hair
• Provides strength
• Improves hair texture + softness

I love how well this lathers and it leaves my hair and scalp refreshed.

You want to ensure product build-up is removed from your hair because it can impact how your styles turn out and can stunt growth.

If you want to improve the health of your curls and start seeing inches down your back, shampoo your hair!

Shampoos aren’t as bad as people make them seem. If they leave your hair feeling dry, you can follow up with a rinse-out and/or deep conditioner.

Check out these other posts!

• Grow Your Natural Hair With These 5 Herbal Products
• 19 of the Best Natural Hair Gift Ideas for Women
• 6 Natural Hair Mistakes to Avoid on Your Journey