---
title: Can you please explain the difference between sulfate and sulfate-free shampoos?
description: Sulfate surfactants have a reputation of being harsh cleansers that strip haircolor and dry out the hair, but Sulfate-free surfactants are more gentle cleansers, like FRAMESI COLOR LOVER that works effectively while respecting the hair's color.
---

[Skip to content](https://help.framesiprofessional.com/knowledge/39.-can-you-please-explain-the-difference-between-sulfate-and-sulfate-free-shampoos#main-content)

English

Show submenu for translations

![Framesi-Logo.jpg\]](https://help.framesiprofessional.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos/Framesi-Logo.jpg?height=40&name=Framesi-Logo.jpg)

- [Home](https://www.framesiprofessional.com/)
- [Products](https://www.framesiprofessional.com/products/lines/)
- [Blog](https://www.framesiprofessional.com/styling/)

Open main navigation

Close main navigation

- [Home](https://www.framesiprofessional.com/)
- [Products](https://www.framesiprofessional.com/products/lines/)
- [Blog](https://www.framesiprofessional.com/styling/)
- English
  
  Show submenu for translations
- Contact us

 Contact us

 Hello. How can we help you?

- There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

1. [Help Center](https://help.framesiprofessional.com/?hsLang=en)
2. [SHAMPOO AND CONDITION](https://help.framesiprofessional.com/shampoo-and-condition?hsLang=en)
3. [FRAMESI COLOR LOVER](https://help.framesiprofessional.com/shampoo-and-condition?hsLang=en#framesi-color-lover)

# Can you please explain the difference between sulfate and sulfate-free shampoos?

## Sulfate surfactants have a reputation of being harsh cleansers that strip haircolor and dry out the hair, but Sulfate-free surfactants are more gentle cleansers, like FRAMESI COLOR LOVER that works effectively while respecting the hair's color.

Every shampoo and cleansing agent contains a surfactant that allows the product to clean and lather.  Traditional sulfate surfactants have a reputation of being harsh cleansers that strip hair color and dry out the hair.  However, when formulated correctly, a sulfate shampoo is very safe and effective for color-treated hair. 

 

Sulfate-free surfactants are more gentle cleansers, but there are negative effects experienced even with Sulfate-free formulas.  If not formulated correctly, these products can build-up and coat the hair, thus causing the hair to eventually appear limp, flat and almost “oily” with repeated usage. 

 

Framesi carefully formulates all products to work effectively while respecting the hair, so whether it is a sulfate-free shampoo or a traditional sulfate shampoo, color-treated hair is left vibrant and in better condition than before the product was used.

- [GENERAL INQUIRIES](https://help.framesiprofessional.com/general-inquiries?hsLang=en)
- [framesi Education](https://help.framesiprofessional.com/framesi-education?hsLang=en)
- [COLOR AND SUPPORT](https://help.framesiprofessional.com/color-and-support?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [STRIKE4](https://help.framesiprofessional.com/color-and-support?hsLang=en#strike4)
    - [FRAMCOLOR 2001](https://help.framesiprofessional.com/color-and-support?hsLang=en#framcolor-2001)
    - [FRAMCOLOR 2001 LIGHT&SHINE](https://help.framesiprofessional.com/color-and-support?hsLang=en#framcolor-2001-lightshine)
    - [FRAMCOLOR 2001 INTENSE](https://help.framesiprofessional.com/color-and-support?hsLang=en#framcolor-2001-intense)
    - [FRAMCOLOR PURE PIGMENT PLUS](https://help.framesiprofessional.com/color-and-support?hsLang=en#framcolor-pure-pigment-plus)
    - [FRAMCOLOR EXTRA CHARGE](https://help.framesiprofessional.com/color-and-support?hsLang=en#framcolor-extra-charge)
    - [FRAMCOLOR ECLECTIC](https://help.framesiprofessional.com/color-and-support?hsLang=en#framcolor-eclectic)
    - [FRAMCOLOR GLAMOUR](https://help.framesiprofessional.com/color-and-support?hsLang=en#framcolor-glamour)
    - [FRAMESI PROFESSIONAL ACTIVATORS](https://help.framesiprofessional.com/color-and-support?hsLang=en#framesi-professional-activators)
    - [FRAMCOLOR FUTURA](https://help.framesiprofessional.com/color-and-support?hsLang=en#framcolor-futura)
    - [FORMULAS](https://help.framesiprofessional.com/color-and-support?hsLang=en#formulas)
    - [FRAMESI COLOR METHOD](https://help.framesiprofessional.com/color-and-support?hsLang=en#framesi-color-method)
    - [MIXCOLOR CREMA](https://help.framesiprofessional.com/color-and-support?hsLang=en#mixcolor-crema)
- [SHAMPOO AND CONDITION](https://help.framesiprofessional.com/shampoo-and-condition?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [FRAMESI COLOR METHOD](https://help.framesiprofessional.com/shampoo-and-condition?hsLang=en#framesi-color-method)
    - [MORPHOSIS](https://help.framesiprofessional.com/shampoo-and-condition?hsLang=en#morphosis)
    - [FRAMESI COLOR LOVER](https://help.framesiprofessional.com/shampoo-and-condition?hsLang=en#framesi-color-lover)
- [STYLE AND FINISH](https://help.framesiprofessional.com/style-and-finish?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [FRAMESI COLOR LOVER](https://help.framesiprofessional.com/style-and-finish?hsLang=en#framesi-color-lover)
- [SHAPE AND TEXTURE](https://help.framesiprofessional.com/shape-and-texture?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Framesi Straightening System](https://help.framesiprofessional.com/shape-and-texture?hsLang=en#framesi-straightening-system)
- [elite Rewards Program](https://help.framesiprofessional.com/elite-rewards-program?hsLang=en)

- [Home](https://www.framesiprofessional.com/)
- [Products](https://www.framesiprofessional.com/products/lines/)
- [Blog](https://www.framesiprofessional.com/styling/)

[![framesi Milan](https://help.framesiprofessional.com/hs-fs/hubfs/framesi%20Milan%20Logo.png?width=275&height=100&name=framesi%20Milan%20Logo.png "framesi Milan")](http://www.framesiprofessional.com/)

Framesi Help Center

Copyright © 2026, Framesi NA