Do Kérastase products have sulfates? What is sulfate-free shampoo and why is sulfate free shampoo better for dry hair and for color treated hair? You may look at the list of ingredients on the shampoo bottle label to see if it features sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate. These two key ingredients are safe and effective and help shampoo lather really well to remove dirt and oil from your scalp and hair. However, sulfate-free shampoo formulas may be better for dry, damaged hair and color-treated hair. For dry hair sulfate free shampoos help retain some essential natural oils preserving some natural nourishment. For color treated hair that gets washed frequently, sulfates may fade salon color faster, switching to a sulfate free shampoo may help preserve color and chemical treatments longer.