With the rise in popularity of sulfate-free hair products, many consumers are wondering if Aveda’s Colour Conserve line is formulated without sulfates. Sulfates are detergents commonly found in shampoos and other hair care products that create a lather and help remove dirt and oil. However, sulfates can be harsh and stripping on hair, especially color-treated hair, so there has been a movement towards using gentler, sulfate-free cleansers.
Aveda’s Stance on Sulfates
Aveda prides itself on using naturally-derived ingredients in its plant-based hair care formulas. The company has worked to remove sulfates and other potentially harsh synthetic ingredients from many of its shampoo and conditioner lines. However, Aveda does say that in some cases, they will use a small amount of sulfates if needed to ensure the product performs as intended.
So where does the Colour Conserve line stand when it comes to sulfates? Let’s take a look at the ingredients lists of these color-protecting products:
Colour Conserve Shampoo Ingredients
The first few ingredients in the Colour Conserve Shampoo are:
- Water
- Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
- Cocamidopropyl Betaine
- Glycerin
Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate is a mild surfactant derived from coconut and taurine (an amino acid). Cocamidopropyl betaine is another gentle cleanser derived from coconuts. Neither of these initial ingredients are sulfates.
Further down the list, we do see some sulfates show up:
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) and sodium lauryl sulfoacetate (SLSA) are two common sulfates used in hair care for their foaming and cleaning abilities. However, Aveda uses them lower down in the formula, and likely in smaller amounts compared to some mass market shampoos.
Colour Conserve Conditioner
Checking the Colour Conserve Conditioner, the first few ingredients are:
- Water
- Cetearyl Alcohol
- Behentrimonium Chloride
- Glycerin
Further down we see:
- Cetrimonium Chloride
Cetrimonium chloride is the only ingredient that could potentially be considered a sulfate. However, it is still much further down in the conditioner ingredients compared to the shampoo.
Conclusion
Based on analyzing the ingredients lists, the Aveda Colour Conserve Shampoo and Conditioner do contain sulfates, specifically sodium laureth sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfoacetate, and cetrimonium chloride. However, Aveda does use them lower down on the list, indicating a lower concentration compared to many mass market shampoos.
While not completely sulfate-free, the Colour Conserve line does use milder surfactants as the primary cleansers. For some consumers looking to avoid harsh sulfates, Colour Conserve may still be gentler on color-treated hair than mainstream shampoos with sulfates in the top few ingredients. However, for those wishing to strictly use sulfate-free hair products, the Colour Conserve line would not be considered fully sulfate-free.
| Ingredient | Type | Potential Issues |
|---|---|---|
| Sodium Laureth Sulfate | Sulfate | Harsh, stripping for hair |
| Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate | Sulfate | Harsh, stripping for hair |
| Cetrimonium Chloride | Sulfate | Harsh, stripping for hair |
| Cocamidopropyl Betaine | Surfactant | Gentler cleanser |
| Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate | Surfactant | Gentler cleanser |
This table summarizes the key ingredients of concern in the Aveda Colour Conserve line, categorizing them as either sulfates or gentler surfactants, along with the potential issues sulfates can pose for color-treated hair.
Alternatives for Strictly Sulfate-Free
For those looking for a completely sulfate-free color-protecting shampoo and conditioner system, there are alternatives within the Aveda line:
- Botanical Repair – Uses the sulfate-free cleanser decyl glucoside and nourishing ingredients like babassu oil and quinoa protein to strengthen damaged hair.
- Dry Remedy – The moisture-restoring shampoo and conditioner are formulated without sulfates. Instead, they use mild coconut-derived cleansers.
There are also plenty of other sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner sets outside of Aveda that can help maintain color-treated hair, often using plant oils, proteins, and gentle cleansers to protect, hydrate, and strengthen hair.
The Takeaway
While the Aveda Colour Conserve line takes steps to use gentler surfactants and lower concentrations of sulfates, it is not completely sulfate-free. For strict sulfate avoidance, Aveda’s Botanical Repair or Dry Remedy would be better options, along with sulfate-free color care lines from other natural brands.
However, Aveda’s use of milder cleansers higher on the ingredients lists means Colour Conserve may still be less stripping than mainstream shampoos. Each consumer will need to evaluate their own preferences, priorities, and hair needs to determine if Colour Conserve offers a good compromise with its sulfate positioning.