Does more foam mean a shampoo or body wash cleans better? No. Foam comes mostly from sulfates and other foaming agents, and the amount of lather has nothing to do with how well a product cleans. Heavy-foaming formulas made with harsh sulfates can strip natural oils and leave hair and skin drier, while gentle sulfate-free products clean just as well with less foam.
We have been conditioned to think that if a shampoo or body wash foams and lathers well, then it also cleans well. That is not quite true.
A foaming agent is an additive that helps the formation of foam and includes a surfactant or a blowing agent. We’ll let the chemists get into the chemistry of all those. Suffice it to say that a popular way most products get their foam is by use of sulfates because they are excellent at producing foam. Sulfates are used in shampoos and body washes to create lovely bubbles and foams, but, the amount of foam has no relationship to the quality of the shampoo or body wash or its ability to clean. Sodium Laurel Sulfate is the most common sulfate. It is a harsh surfactant, found in conditioners, body washes and shampoos.
What are sulfates?
Sulfates came into the modern personal care in the 1930’s and set the health and beauty industry on fire. Prior to their introduction, people relied on simple soaps, soda ash and other methods to clean their skin and hair that were not as efficient or economical. Then came these powerful sulfates that are cheap and ubiquitous.
By the way, cheap is good when dealing with costs of trying to bring products that are affordable to the market. So, that is not a bad consideration, its simply that sulfates may not belong in every product. The thing that most people love best about sulfates is that they foam and lather like crazy! Why does this matter? It matters because people associate being clean with a good mound of lather. It is not, but people have been conditioned to think so.
With frequent use, harsh sulfates can strip the hair of its natural oils, leaving it dry, brittle and straw-like, and more likely to break. They can also irritate the scalp and leave it itchy. They are harsh and thus can be drying to the skin depending on the formulation and your skin type.
Sulfates can irritate sensitive skin.
So, for those with skin sensitivity, sulfates should be avoided and the sulfate-free alternatives should be sought. Sulfate-free, we should note, does not mean surfactant-free, it simply means a different kind of surfactant is used and invariably it is the natural kind. We wholeheartedly recommend Shinkafa’s body wash and Shinkafa’s detangling keratin shampoo, which have both received excellent marks from those with skin sensitivity that have used them.
Why we prefer sulfate-free products.
We’ve previously written about why we like sulfate-free shampoos and we’ll revisit that subject here by emphasizing body washes as well.
The best way to understand sulfate-free is perhaps by use of the words “natural” “gentle” or “mild.” Sulfate-free shampoos and body washes are derived from gentler, milder and yes, healthier plant-extracts and amino acid, seed oils, and naturally occurring ingredients which are infinitely superior and for the most part, more expensive that their chemically manufactured counterparts.
Some of the benefits of our sulfate-free shampoo and body wash:
- Help those with sensitivity;
- Reduce the chance of scalp irritation and inflammation
- Increase moisture retention within the hair follicle
- Improve better retention of natural oils of the hair
- Improve maintenance of the natural oils of the skin
- Aid softness of hair and skin
- Aid overall hydration by reducing dryness.
Here at Shinkafa, our products are sulfate-free.
Foam and Lather: Common Questions
Is foaming shampoo bad for your hair?
Not necessarily. Foam itself is harmless. What matters is what makes the foam. Shampoos that foam heavily usually rely on harsh sulfates such as sodium lauryl sulfate, which can dry out hair and irritate a sensitive scalp, especially with daily use.
Is shampoo supposed to foam?
It does not have to. Sulfate-free shampoos produce a softer, lighter lather, but they still lift away dirt, oil and product build-up. Less foam does not mean your hair is less clean.
Do foaming body washes dry out your skin?
They can. Body washes that get their rich lather from sulfates are more likely to leave skin feeling tight and dry, particularly if you have dry or sensitive skin. A gentle, sulfate-free body wash cleans without stripping the skin’s natural oils.
Will a sulfate-free product feel less foamy?
Yes, usually. Expect a creamier, lower lather. Use a little more water, work it in a bit longer, and you will get the same clean feel.
Salons, spas and stores can order Shinkafa sulfate-free shampoo and body wash in bulk, made to order. Request a wholesale quote.
