What is hidden behind the abbreviation SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) on the ingredient list is a strong detergent. It creates a thick foam and a feeling of thorough washing, but that strength dries out both the scalp and the lengths.
Why SLS dries the scalp and lengths
When SLS strips the oil from your scalp and hair at every wash, the scalp can feel tight afterwards and the lengths dry to the touch.
If your roots also get greasy fast, you wash more often, and every wash with a strong detergent dries the lengths again. That is how the cycle keeps going.
What to look for on the label instead of sulfates
A good shampoo removes dirt without leaving your scalp tight. Here is what to look for on the ingredient list:
- Surfactants instead of sulfates. Glucoside and amphoteric surfactants wash away dirt without aggressively removing oil.
- Ingredients that care for the scalp. Aloe vera leaf extract conditions the scalp and leaves it feeling fresh.
- Proteins that condition the hair. Hydrolyzed wheat protein binds to the hair and stays on it after rinsing, so the hair feels softer and combs out more easily.
- Moisture-binding ingredients. Glycerin draws moisture in and holds it in the hair, so the lengths stay soft after washing.
Shampoo for dry hair: a wash that doesn't work against you
Dry hair does not need a stronger wash. The goal is a wash that gets your hair clean without leaving your scalp tight.
That's where IHLA comes in, our conditioning shampoo. Four surfactants do the washing: sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, cocamidopropyl betaine, lauryl glucoside and coco glucoside, at a formula pH of 5.0 to 5.5. Hydrolyzed wheat protein conditions the hair, so afterwards it feels softer and combs out more easily.
If you're also looking for why those ingredients work, we've gone through washing and caring for dry hair step by step here: washing and caring routine for dry hair. For ends that are already dry, argan oil comes in handy: two to four drops through the lengths and ends, keeping off the roots.
IHLA conditioning shampoo
IHLA is a sulfate-free shampoo: there is no SLS or SLES in it. It washes with four surfactants: sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, cocamidopropyl betaine, lauryl glucoside and coco glucoside. Aloe vera, hydrolyzed wheat protein and glycerin are also in the formula, and the pH is 5.0 to 5.5. The full ingredient list, preservatives included, is on our Ingredients and allergens page. Apply a small amount to wet hair, gently massage it into the scalp for two minutes and rinse. The foam is soft and creamy, the hair comes out clean, and the scalp is not left feeling tight.
After washing, LHRIR conditioner goes on the lengths: work it from mid-lengths to the ends, leave it two to three minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
FAQ
Will IHLA wash hair well without sulfates?
It will. The main surfactant is sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, with cocamidopropyl betaine and two glucosides alongside it. The lather is softer than with a sulfate shampoo, and your hair still comes out clean without your scalp feeling tight.
Will hair stop getting greasy quickly?
IHLA washes with four surfactants and no sulfates, at a pH of 5.0 to 5.5, and an oilier root can take a second wash. Wash your hair as often as you need to.
Can I use IHLA every day?
You can use it whenever you wash your hair: IHLA is just as good for hair you wash often. Gently massage a small amount into the scalp for two minutes, then rinse.
Is it good for coloured hair?
It is. Four surfactants do the washing instead of sulfates, at a formula pH of 5.0 to 5.5. Hydrolyzed wheat protein conditions the hair, so colour-treated hair combs out more easily and feels softer.
Does IHLA contain allergens?
Yes. IHLA contains benzyl alcohol, a substance on the EU list of allergens that must be named on the label; in the formula it is listed as a preservative. There is also hydrolyzed wheat protein, which contains gluten, so it's worth knowing if you're sensitive to it. The full ingredient list is on our Ingredients and allergens page, so you can show it to your doctor if you have an allergy.
How do I order and when will it arrive?
IHLA costs 40 KM. Order through the product page and leave your address. We ship from Sarajevo, and delivery anywhere in Bosnia and Herzegovina usually takes 1 to 2 working days. Delivery costs 8 KM and is free on orders of 59 KM or more. Pay by card when you order, or cash on delivery.