Sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner – why they're a must after keratin

Saying that a keratin treatment needs sulfate-free hair care isn't a sales pitch. It's the reason some people keep their results for five months and others for six weeks.

What sulfates do

Sulfates are powerful cleansing agents, usually sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate. They dissolve oil effectively, which is fine in a regular shampoo. The problem is that they can't tell the difference between dirt and the proteins that have been infused into the hair strand. Every wash with a sulfate shampoo pulls out some of the keratin.

Sodium chloride – ordinary salt – has a similar effect and is common as a thickener in cheap shampoos. That's why Cocochoco's sulfate-free shampoo is free from sulfates, parabens and sodium chloride.

Why you need the conditioner too

The shampoo protects the treatment, the conditioner maintains it. Cocochoco's sulfate-free conditioner counteracts dryness and static – exactly the two things that make frizz come back first. Apply it to the lengths and ends every time you wash, leave it on for a couple of minutes and rinse with cool water.

How to read the ingredient list

Look for sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate and sodium chloride. If any of them appear near the top of the list, the product isn't right for you as long as you have a keratin treatment in your hair.

An easy way to get started

Our keratin treatment aftercare kit brings shampoo and conditioner together in one package, so you don't have to choose every time. If you'd like to add deeper nourishment, we recommend the Cocochoco Keratin Repair Mask once a week.