Sulfate-free products for color-treated hair

Sulfate-free means the cleanser leaves out strong foaming agents such as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES). Sulfates clean hard. Dry, curly, color-treated hair and sensitive skin often feel better with gentler cleansers, so every pick here passes this rule.

Look for bond builders, keratin and panthenol. Bond builders repair broken bonds inside bleached or damaged hair. Keratin, the protein hair is made of, fills gaps in damaged strands. Panthenol, also called pro-vitamin B5, soothes and helps skin and hair hold moisture. Products with more of these rank higher.

Products are picked by code from their full ingredient lists (INCI, the standard list on the label). Each pick must pass every rule, and products with more helpful ingredients rank higher. At most two products per brand make the list. Each list comes from the brand's own page or Open Beauty Facts and is dated.

Ingredients are listed from the highest amount to the lowest, down to about 1%. Below that point, the order is free. Read the full list before you buy, and check the top items first to see which ingredients make up the most of the formula.

Yes, patch test anything new before using it all over. A patch test means applying a little to a small area, such as inside the elbow, for several days. That way you can see how your skin reacts before the product touches your whole head.