Here at Aunt Jackie’s Curls & Coils, we pride ourselves on being a brand that focuses on delivering products that will produce healthy hair. As a part of that initiative, we have developed each one of our products to be free of sulfates and parabens — among other things. Although many in the curly community know that it’s important to search for products free of sulfate and parabens, many don’t know why. Here’s why using sulfate-free and paraben-free products matter for the health of your hair.

First of all, what are sulfates and parabens?

In layman’s terms, sulfates are the thick lather that you see in shampoo while parabens are chemical preservatives that help to prevent bacteria in your products. For sulfates, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) are two of the harshest surfactants due to their ability to dry out the skin and hair. And while both sulfates and parabens have the ability to get your hair super clean, they have been known to irritate your scalp and strip your natural oils from your hair and scalp — among many other things.

Will my hair be clean if I eliminate the use of sulfates and paraben?

Although it may be easy to think that decreasing the amount of lather in your shampoo means that your hair won’t be as clean or moisturized, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Any of the Aunt Jackie’s products that you choose have been created to be moisture-retentive and improve the health of your hair without needing to use either of the above. Products like our Coconut Crème Collection and Grapeseed Collection are great for helping your hair become softer, replenishing moisture, repairing your strands, reducing frizz and boosting your natural shine.

I still don’t get it. Why does using sulfate and paraben-free products really matter?

For one, shampoos (such as our Oh So Clean — Moisturizing & Softening Shampoo) that are free of sulfates and parabens can actually keep your hair moisturized. And when your hair is full of moisture, the tendency of it to break or split is reduced. The same goes for products that are sulfate and paraben-free, too, which includes any of the lines in the AJ brand. Additionally, you’ll be able to hold on to the natural oils your hair carries.

Sulfate and paraben-free products also help with color retention if you’ve recently colored your hair. As mentioned above, products with sulfate and parabens have a tendency to dry out your hair. And if you know anything about hair that has been recently colored, moisture retention is extremely important. If you’re looking for the perfect line to help keep your color-treated hair healthy, the Flaxseed Collection is a great place to start.