What is the difference between anti-dandruff shampoos, dry shampoos and sulfate-free shampoos?

How to choose the best shampoo for different hair types? Answering this question is quite difficult, considering the large selection of different shampoos in supermarkets or specialized stores. Many people choose shampoos based on the advice of hairdressers or hair stylists, but few can boast of extensive knowledge about the differences between shampoos.

So, Eubos decided to introduce readers to the three most popular types of shampoos, their features and differences. We hope this article will help you choose the best shampoo in the future!

Dandruff shampoos

Flaky hair is often a downer for many people, especially those with dark hair. Dandruff is caused by certain scalp irritations, itching or rashes. It is a common skin reaction to several irritants, usually related to food, various medications, stress, skin conditions, or chemicals in hair products (for example, hair dyes). Flaking skin can also be a result of skin infections, bacteria or fungus.

However, dermatologists single out oily and dry scalp as the most common cause of dandruff. So, in general, anti-dandruff shampoos are designed to reduce oiliness and dryness of the skin at the same time, thus maintaining optimal skin condition and reducing flaking.

How to fight dandruff?

Dandruff can be combated in various ways, such as avoiding sweet or spicy foods or trying to reduce stress levels. Also, pay attention to whether your skin is flaking due to the use of certain hair dyes. However, hair shampoos specially adapted for this purpose are usually used in the fight against dandruff.

The most useful ingredients in shampoos

Anti-dandruff shampoos are usually enriched with certain ingredients. For example, certain chemicals (such as ketoconazole) kill skin infections, bacteria, or fungus. You will also often find glycerin in the composition of anti-dandruff shampoos, a chemical substance that intensively moisturizes the skin. Anti-dandruff shampoos also contain various sulfates that effectively wash away oil and dandruff from the hair and reduce future dandruff formation.

Dry shampoo

Dry shampoos are a fairly new product in the beauty industry. It is an excellent tool that helps reduce hair greasiness and takes less time than washing hair with liquid shampoo. Alcoholic substances and starch contained in dry shampoo absorb grease from the hair. Also, these shampoos are enriched with fragrances that leave a pleasant aroma on washed hair.

Our scalp is constantly covered with a natural layer of sebum that protects the skin from external factors. Each person's skin produces different amounts of these oils, so the frequency of head washing is a very individual choice. However, for those who suffer from very oily hair, dry shampoo is a really good option that saves a lot of time.

Does dry shampoo have a negative effect on the condition of the hair?

Dermatologists also appreciate the effects of a quality dry shampoo. However, both hair specialists and dermatologists emphasize that too frequent use of dry shampoo can be harmful - it should not completely replace liquid shampoo. This is because dry shampoos do not support the optimal and healthy condition of the scalp like liquid shampoos do. Using dry shampoo too often dries out the scalp, irritates it and can even lead to flaking.

Sulfate-free shampoo

Recently, the belief that sulfates, often found in shampoos, have a negative effect on health has become popular. However, dermatologists cannot fully agree with this opinion.

Most shampoos contain sulfates for specific reasons. In particular, sulfates make it easier for shampoo to mix with water in the shower, making it easier to use. Sulfates also help the shampoo to foam, thereby activating hair washing. These features of sulfates allow you to use less shampoo than you would need without sulfates (and using less shampoo ultimately saves you money, too).

Thus, sulfates contribute to the formation of shampoo foam, facilitate the removal of dirt and grease from the hair, and reduce the amount of shampoo used. It is for these reasons that people who suffer from dandruff or excessive hair oiliness notice the positive effect of sulfates when washing their hair.

So why do some people choose to use sulfate-free shampoos?

Although sulfates have a positive effect on the effect of shampoos, their excessive use can be harmful. Dermatologists note that high levels of sulfates can irritate the eyes or scalp. Also, sulfates can slightly dry out the skin and hair. In general, many people who use shampoos with sulfates do not notice these side effects (or compensate for them with hair conditioners). However, there are several groups of people who may be more sensitive to the effects of sulfates.

Dermatologists recommend choosing sulfate-free shampoos for those who suffer from dry or easily irritated skin and suffer from skin allergies to sulfates in various products (including dishwashing detergents or hand soaps). Also, sulfates can have a negative effect on owners of dry hair (usually naturally curly hair is drier than straight hair) or those who often use hair dyes that dry out the scalp and hair.

So, when choosing shampoos in the future, consider what type of shampoo is best for your hair. We suggest that you don't blindly rely on trendy hair care trends like sulfate-free shampoos. Better take into account the condition of your hair and scalp, skin allergies and other hair care products you use and choose a shampoo according to your individual needs.