No two haircare regimes are the same because not all mane needs are identical. These days, people are opting for sulfate-free formulas that are gentler on their tresses because mild shampoos can help protect your hair. Formulas that contain products like foaming agents and silicones aren’t necessarily bad for your hair, but they can have other less-than-favourable effects. A 2016 study showed that surfactants are great for removing product build-up, dirt, and sebum from the scalp but that comes at a cost. The study also reported that these sudsy chemicals can cause frizz and dryness.
If you’re wondering whether you should swap your regular shampoo for a milder formula, keep reading…
The difference between a regular and a mild shampoo
Regular shampoos that are widely available in the market today contain harsh lathering agents while milder formulas contain gentler ones. The former tend to dry out hair whereas the latter usually contains conditioning agents that may help soften and nourish your mane.
If your scalp tends to get extra oily or you use products like mousse or hair gel regularly, you may benefit from using a clarifying shampoo every now and then. These formulas cut through the product build-up in the scalp and deep clean it.
Harsh shampoos usually contain one of the following cleansing agents in their formulas:
• Ammonium lauryl sulfate
• Ammonium laureth sulfate
• Sodium lauryl sulfate
• Triethanolamine lauryl sulfate
• Triethanolamine laureth sulfate
• Disodium oleaminesulfosuccinate
• Sodium dioctylsulfosuccinate
Who should use a mild shampoo?
If you’re someone who has haircare concerns like hair loss, dryness, fine hair, dandruff, or breakage, you may benefit from using milder formulas. Also, if you prefer washing your locks every day, these shampoos are a better option because they’re way gentler, which means they won’t dry out your scalp and throw your sebaceous glands in a frenzy.
Top 5 mild shampoos to invest in
Kiehl’s Amino Acid Shampoo With Pure Coconut Oil, Rs 1800
This luxurious shampoo will have your mane smelling like a dream! It doesn’t hurt that the super-gentle formula is perfect for everyday use and will make your locks silkier than silk smooth and megawatt shiny thanks to the hero ingredient, coconut oil. Don’t worry about this shampoo weighing your hair down, it is super lightweight and instead will add oodles of volume to your tresses.
Vilvah Goat Milk Shampoo, Rs 590
Not only is this goat milk formula pH balanced but it also cleanses the scalp and hair while giving them a boost of moisture. It helps soothe and improve skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis and flaking. Bonus points for the minimal packaging that is made using aluminium because it can be recycled an infinite number of times.
weDo Professional No Plastic Shampoo Bar, Rs 1,200
The main ingredient in this shampoo bar is argan oil, which softens hair within two to three washes. The plastic-free packaging is an instant winner and the fact that the formula is sulfate- and paraben-free and rinses out easily pushes this bar to the top of our favourites list. Another fun fact? This solid bar will last you for up to 80 washes!
The Switch Fix Viva La Sativa Shampoo Bar, Rs 479
This shampoo bar conditions hair while cleansing it, thanks to the dose of baobab protein and hemp seed oil in it. It protects the scalp from oxidative damage and improves hair elasticity and has a smooth, buttery kind of consistency which makes hair feel insanely soft and nourished.
Earth Rhythm Murumuru Butter Shampoo Bar, Rs 449
This vegan shampoo bar is packed with rich murumuru nut butter that conditions every strand, leaving you with soft tresses and glistening colour. It lathers enough for a satisfying wash, is free from silicones, and fragrances.
Pick a mild shampoo for your hair type
Mild shampoo for dry hair
Your hair tends to dry out because it doesn’t retain moisture. If you have drier hair, never skip conditioner after you shampoo and consider applying hair oils or leave-in serums.
Look for: Formulas that contain coconut milk, aloe vera, argan oil, and shea butter.
Mild shampoo for oily hair
If you have an oily scalp, you probably want to use a clarifying shampoo at least once every two weeks. On a daily basis, a mild shampoo is still a good idea because it has enough cleaning power to remove excess oil without stripping the scalp dry of natural oils.
Look for: Formulas that contain apple cider vinegar, jojoba oil, coconut water, and ginger extracts.
Mild shampoo for thin hair
Mild shampoos are also a good option for thin hair to prevent breakage and to keep the hair soft. Look for a mild shampoo that also contains a thickening agent, such as:
Look for: Formulas that contain amino acids, biotin, and collagen.
Mild shampoo for curly hair
Curly or wavy hair always needs a boost of moisture because of the fact that the natural oils in the scalp can’t travel down the hair shaft as easily as they do with straight hair.
Look for: Formulas that contain a variety of butters and oils including argan, coconut, and rosehip oil, murumuru, and shea butters as well as nourishing add-ins like honey and aloe.
When you opt for a milder shampoo after using a regular one for a while, your scalp can take some time to adjust to the transition. Your roots may seem oiler for a while and you may feel like the gentler shampoo isn’t doing its job of leaving your hair squeaky clean. Our advice? Give the new formula at least a month to show you its magic.
FAQs
Will gentle shampoos hydrate coloured hair?
Colour-treated hair will notice a difference in increased moisture when switching over to sulfate-free shampoo because they contain nourishing oils and won’t dry out your lengths.
Will gentle shampoos help prevent dandruff and flaking of the scalp?
Strong detergents in shampoos dry out the scalp and promote flaking. To fight dandruff, try a formula that contains zinc pyrithione as it has antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties.