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Sulfates and Silicone in a Shampoo...
  • TheBeautyCat
    Why is there silicone in shampoo? I noticed that one of my bottles lists two different sulfates and two different silicones. This seems counterproductive to me. Another bottle lists two different sulfates and only one silicone and I feel this product cleanses better. Is this just in my head or could it be that the shampoo with less silicone cleanses better?
  • BrainHeartBeauty
    It's very particular to your hair. There are silicones in the shampoo I'm currently using because it's designed for dry hair, so I guess in theory the silicones make it feel like the hair is less stripped by the sulfates. I'm completely aware that it's only the silicone coating making a difference, but my hair certainly feels less dry and tangled after use. It practically feels like I've used a very light conditioner before I even use normal conditioner. I find it works for my hair because I get a lot of static build up and very fine fly-aways. The silicones help weigh is down just the slightest bit and prevent a lot of that. On the other hand, a lot of people hate silicones in their hair. Go with whatever works for you, and don't get trapped into thinking one must be better because of certain ingredients.
  • Right BrainRight Brain
    Great question! I'll post something about this on the blog later but the quick answer is that the silicone (and a few other ingredients that can stay on hair through rinsing) provide conditioning. Most shampoos (except for clarifying and deep cleansing) contain some kind of conditioning ingredients because most people don't like the squeaky clean feeling that you get with straight surfactants. And sulfates are not the only surfactants that give that feeling so it's not like manufacturers are adding silicones only to sulfate shampoos. For example, check the label on L'Oreal's Everpure sulfate free shampoo and you'll find Amodimethicone. 
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