At Loba Mane we are committed to create Sulfate-Free products. We want to share why Sulfates are not good for you. First lets understand what is Sulfate.

Sodium lauryl sulfate is the foaming agent found in a large amount of the products we use every day for personal hygiene, hair and body care. Among them are toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, lotions, body and facial cleansers and more. This ingredient wasn't meant for use in consumer products, it was initially sold as an industrial strength detergent primarily used for heavy duty cleaners and de-greasers.

The reason it is used in so many products today is that consumers have come to expect abundant lather in products that are supposed to cleanse. It is one of the most largely manufactured chemicals in the United States since many companies use it as a cheap lathering agent.

1. Promotes Hair Dryness and Breakage, Compromising Natural Moisture Balance

Sulfates strips the hair of moisture because of its strong detergent properties. A daily product that contains abundant sulfates is shampoo, this detergent is so abrasive that can cause breakage in the cuticle, making your hair porous and prone to breakage and dryness.  As your hair becomes dry you see the need to use a conditioner to provide the appearance of soft and moisturized hair.

You can actually get your hair just as clean using gentler, cuticle-friendly substances. There are several fatty acids that work to cleanse the hair without disrupting the delicate cuticle that strengthens your hair and protects it from outside elements and toxins. Check out our Hair Cleanser, a gentler alternative to shampoo without the need of using conditioner afterwards.

2. Allows Toxins to Penetrate and is a Toxin Itself

Sulfates not only open the cuticle of the hair, they also are often used as an absorbing agent to allow other ingredients like vitamins, moisturizers and minerals to be more easily deposited below the cuticle and the scalp. However, most soaps, shampoos and moisturizers that contain sulfates also contain a host of chemicals.

This is another huge cause for concern since this is typically what is more likely to breach the protective layers of the skin in your scalp. When you use products with both sulfates and other chemical toxins and preservatives, you are inviting these other toxins to more easily penetrate your scalp and enter the blood stream.

Sulfates has shown up in the tissues of the brain, liver, heart and other vital organs. This strongly suggests it is retained long term in several bodily tissues.

2. Irritates Scalp and Cause Hair Loss

It has been implicated in hair loss since it can irritate and possibly damage the hair follicles. When used in shampoos, it can dry out the hair shaft and dull the hair by taking away its natural luster. And with irritation linked to inflammation, it’s definitely plausible that there is a link between sulfates and hair loss – inflammation is a key component in hair loss. 

Avoiding products with this volatile lathering agent is getting easier. There are now soaps, shampoos, conditioners, and other personal and hair care products that offer healthier and more skin-friendly sulfate-free options.

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