The New Directions Aromatics team is extremely saddened to announce the passing of Abraham Thomas, founder of the New Directions group of companies and brother of our CEO Alex Thomas. Abraham's passion and commitment to encourage people to take responsibility for their wellbeing via natural methods will live on as we continue into the future without him...

Your Cart
Is Empty
Cosmetics » Cosmetic Bases

SLS Free Shampoo Cosmetic Base


Average Product Rating: 4.7 / 5 (Based on 41 Customer Reviews)


SLS free bases are free from Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLES), Sodium Lauryl Sulphates (SLS) and Parabens. Wash away dirt and oil with our nourishing SLS Free Shampoo Base. Specifically formulated, it cleanses the hair while restoring shine and manageability.
This base has been specifically formulated to be extremely robust. Essential Oils, fragrant oils, botanical extracts and various raw materials can be added in order to customize each product.
• Our return policy only applies to standard products and smaller orders only, thus the returns policy does not apply to drum orders. There is no returns policy for all drum orders.

Usage: We recommend that no more than 0.5% or 5 ml of any essential oil be added to a Liter of our cosmetic bases. Exceeding this amount may destabilize bonds between the ingredients. Over time this may cause our bases to lose some of their luxurious properties including viscosity, smooth feel and rate of absorption.

Drum Orders:
• Price is FOB from our warehouse. UPS does not ship drums so shipping charges will be calculated in house with another courier or customers can request their preferred courier.
• Price includes bulk open head drum with plastic liner.
• A lead time of 3 weeks is needed in order to fill a drum order.
• A non-refundable 50% deposit is required.
• Special orders for drums cannot be returned. We encourage our customers to try the smaller sizes before placing a special order for a drum. Our return policy is applicable to regular orders only.

Ingredients:
• Water
• Decyl Glucoside
• Acrylates Copolymer
• Cocamidopropyl Betaine
• Coco Glucoside
• Glyceryl Oleate
• DMDM Hydantoin
• Citric Acid
• Triethanolamine


Terms of Use

Customers should purchase products from New Directions Aromatics Inc. with the clear understanding that all products must be used at the customers own discretion and only after referencing Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and all other relevant technical information specific to the product. New Directions Aromatics Inc. shall not be held responsible for any damages to property or for any adverse physical effects (including injury or bodily harm) caused by insufficient knowledge or the improper use of a product.

The user of the product is solely responsible for compliance with all laws and regulations applying to the use of the products, including intellectual property rights of third parties.

As with any manufacturing process, New Directions Aromatics strongly recommends small lab scale testing for evaluation purposes prior to full commercial manufacturing.

The information on the New Directions Aromatics Inc. website is obtained from current and reliable sources but makes no representation as to its comprehensiveness or accuracy. Nothing contained herein should be considered as a recommendation by New Directions Aromatics Inc. as to the fitness for any use. As the ordinary or otherwise use(s) of this product is outside the control of New Directions Aromatics Inc., no representation or warranty, expressed or implied is made as to the effect(s) of such use(s) (including damage or injury), or the results obtained.

The liability of New Directions Aromatics Inc. is limited to the value of the goods and does not include any consequential loss. New Directions Aromatics Inc. shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

Please note, the International Federation of Aromatherapists do not recommend that Essential Oils be taken internally unless under the supervision of a Medical Doctor who is also qualified in clinical Aromatherapy. In addition, Essential Oils must be properly diluted before use in order to avoid any damages to property or adverse physical effects (including injury or bodily harm).

IMPORTANT: All of our products are for external use only.

In addition, please read & understand appropriate technical, material safety data sheets and disclaimers before using this or any other New Directions Aromatics product.

Read the Disclaimer

SLS Free Shampoo Cosmetic Base
Increase quntity Decrease quntity

As a valued customer we know that you expect the very best from the suppliers you purchase from. That is why at New Directions Aromatics we take strides to ensure that your shopping experience is second to none!

• You can feel confident that New Directions Aromatics has a proven track record of delivering the very best products at market leading prices. We purchase in large volumes and warrant some of the best pricing in the industry from our suppliers. We then pass these savings on to you!

• We deliver a 100% Secure Shopping Experience . We have partnered with Mcafee and Thawte to deliver the very best in online security to ensure your critical payment information is protected.

• We are so confident in the quality of our products that we offer a 15-Day Money Back Guarantee. Any item can be returned within 15 days of receipt of shipment for a full refund on the cost of goods (excluding shipping charges). See our "Policies" section for more details.

• We know that quality means everything to You that is why we have industry leading Quality Assurance policies in place to ensure that the product You receive is of the highest quality. Our in house lab technicians use the very latest in testing equipment to verify every product that comes into our warehouse.

• 1000's of Customers choose New Directions as their supplier of choice for our unparalleled customer service, check our BizRate rating to see that in 2008 we had one of the highest score ratings in the industry.

Submited By: Tara from Woodlawn, Ontario on 02/21/2012
Loyal Customer Since: 2005
Rating:

Amazing! I have been searching so long for a good shampoo base, I can't tell you how relieved I am to have found this product. I used to have greasy, dandruffy hair and my scalp was ALWAYS itching. Now that is all gone and not only that but my hair looks great even without conditioner! I cannot recommend this shampoo enough. Pair it with some tea tree oil and lavender. It's an experience!
Submited By: Rachel from Fredericton, New Brunswick on 11/28/2011
Loyal Customer Since: 2005
Rating:

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you...finally itchy scalp free, no more burning, or scabing from the store bought shampoos. I love this shampoo and have been using it for 3 weeks now, it has super lather, even after adding essential oils. Thanks Again, will definately buy this product again as it is well worth it.
Submited By: Carolyn from Boise, Idaho on 03/18/2011
Loyal Customer Since: 2010
Rating:

Very nice shampoo. And I love that it is SLS free - proves that you don't need that stuff to get a quality product.
Submited By: Stephanie from Toronto, Ontario on 02/04/2011
Loyal Customer Since: 2005
Rating:

I really loved this shampoo, I have been a stylist for 14 years and I am well impressed! 5 stars
Submited By: Elieza from Toronto, Ontario on 01/11/2011
Loyal Customer Since: 2005
Rating:

Since i came to Canada at age 14 , I was constantly have dandruff with erythema resulting in scabs . Reason for this are the SLES , SLS , PARABEN and synthetic perfumes being use in all shampoos even the baby shampoo i get has same result .

I have been using SLS shampoo for many years now , and i must say my trouble with my scalp and unwanted shading all stop . As new clients with NDA , i will commend my loyalty with the price and service . Got my orders with them early this afternoon , along with the SLS Free shampoo . Used it just now tonight with my own recipe i will share to you all . This shampoo do lather and clean well without drying my hair and scalp .

My recipe :

- 500 ml reusable bottle
- Fill the half bottle with SLS FREE SHAMPOO
- 20 % Distilled WATER
- 5-7 % Vegetable Glycerin be generous if you can next time
- 5 drops of EO of your choice
- Now tilt all ingredients together till it mix slowly & be patient . Then finally shake it all together to combine to a watery base shampoo .

*** NOW IT'S READY FOR USE

NOTE : In one week your scalp especially all the hair follicles will start to be cleanse from years of using synthetic chemicals and unwanted ingredients to flake off out of your scalp . But first day of use your hair will be fluffy without statics , shiny and soft . Believe me or argue with me , PERSONALLY TESTED AND SWARE OF MY RECIPE . Let me know what you think and do share your recipes with me ;-) Im in process of re designing my butter face cream with soy butter .
Submited By: Anna from Leavenworth, Washington on 01/06/2011
Loyal Customer Since: 2007
Rating:

2 years ago my hair was thin and falling out due to extensive rafting in the Grand Canyon and also stress. I started making shampoo mixed with Laurel Leaf, Camillia seed oil, and Perillia seed oil....it took awhile for my hair to recover but last year my hair dresser noticed and asked what products I was using! I told her all about NDA and yesterday when I went in for a hair cut she was using NDA shampoo and conditioner on all her clients!!! She says evryone loves it and she has noticed that is is gentler on her hands as well.....thank you for so many wonderful products
Submited By: Meredith from Imperial, California on 12/14/2010
Loyal Customer Since: 2010
Rating:

Excellent Shampoo base! I added fragant oils and essential oils and got a excellent product. If you don't add too much oil, you will not have any problems. BTW, I am a first time user and I had no problems. Shampoo was a bit drying, but I chalk that up to the essential oil I used.
Submited By: Marlis from Sedona, Arizona on 10/07/2010
Loyal Customer Since: 2010
Rating:

I am satisfied with this shampoo. I got it because I was so fed up with commercial shampoos, including the ones from the health food store. It works well with my rosemary essential oil.
Submited By: Lori from Alton, Ontario on 08/31/2010
Loyal Customer Since: 2005
Rating:

Love that I found a SLS free base for shampoo for my family. Made a batch with Tea tree oil for the upcoming lice season at school!!
Submited By: Iryna from Phoenix, Arizona on 07/04/2010
Loyal Customer Since: 2010
Rating:

what a huge difference! This is the only shampoo I'll be using from now on. I have added peppermint EO, I like it a lot.
Submited By: Karen from Ft St John, British Columbia on 03/20/2010
Loyal Customer Since: 2005
Rating:

Wow this is amazing me and my friends have been getting fabulous results. I added some essential oils for different hair and skin characteristics and now I have an ammazing product everyone loves it.
Submited By: Chantel from Napanee, Ontario on 03/28/2010
Loyal Customer Since: 2005
Rating:

The SLS's found in most of our hair care products are for the lather. I was in the haircare industry for 16 years. I recently found out that the sulphates in my products can be extremely irratating to skin and actually cause acne reactions. I am 35 years old and suffer from acne. I am very pleased to be trying these products now and even if it does nothing for my skin at least I know that I am using healthier products on my hair. Oh and for the record, I was never one of those pushy hairstylists that pushed all my product on my clients. I believe a truely great product speaks for itself....Kind of like ND does!!!!
Submited By: Robyn from Paradise Hill, Saskatchewan on 02/22/2010
Loyal Customer Since: 2005
Rating:

I am so in love with this product it is amazing. People have complained about the loss of lather, maybe its from adding too many other indredients? All I added was some patchouli & ylan ylang and I have had nothing but great results. Will definitely be buying again as I am now running out of product because I sold it all!!
Submited By: Deitra from Norcross, Georgia on 10/01/2009
Loyal Customer Since: 2009
Rating:

This shampoo is the bomb! I don't even feel the need to lather my hair more than once. And, it cleans amazingly well without leaving my hair feeling stripped. Because of one of the comments on here about it not lathering well, the first time I used it I poured too much in my hand and had a head full of lather. So, the next time I used it I used less and it still lathered extremely well. Maybe, I'll continue to lessen it down just to see what would be the smallest amount that I would need. But, as it stands now, just using the amount that I am using I won't be running out of this product for a while. And, at that price?!? You guys are awesome! Love for humankind and general business is being restored! Thank you! God Bless!
Submited By: Brenda from Havana, Florida on 09/23/2009
Loyal Customer Since: 2009
Rating:

Great shampoo and it's limitless what you can create using different EOs.
Submited By: Sabine from Winnipeg, Manitoba on 08/28/2009
Loyal Customer Since: 2005
Rating:

Great product !!!"Healthy" shampoo usually make my hair feel like straw...This one is wonderful thank you!!
Submited By: Nancy from Tacoma, Washington on 07/30/2009
Loyal Customer Since: 2007
Rating:

My hair has been feeling dry and damaged. I tried the SLS free shampoo with NDA's conditioner--both of them plain, no additives--this morning and my hair definitely feels much better--not greasy or dry--just right. Now I'm looking forward to playing around with adding phytokeratin, silk amino acids and eo's!
Submited By: Kelly from Carmangay, Alberta on 07/24/2009
Loyal Customer Since: 2005
Rating:

This shampoo is amazing!!! I blend it with rosemary and peppermint eo's and it smells just like the expensive salon brands. We have ridiculously hard well water and this shampoo lathers so nicely, even without the addition of SLS. I use it on my kids (my 4 yr old has hair to her bum) and it works so well. I will definately be buying more and more and more!! I didn't even get a chance to test market it because I liked it so much I used it all for me and my family!
Submited By: Kay from Auburn, Washington on 06/20/2009
Loyal Customer Since: 2009
Rating:

I love this product and have recommended it to my friends.
Submited By: Linda from Cape Coral, Florida on 06/16/2009
Loyal Customer Since: 2006
Rating:

I save this all for me I have long hair to my waist and this is fantastic I do not add a thing to it
Submited By: Jackie from Shelburne, Ontario on 06/11/2009
Loyal Customer Since: 2005
Rating:

I love this shampoo! It blends well with EO's and it cleans and leaves hair soft and managable. I added tea tree and pepperment for a summer anti-bacterial shampoo. Would recommend it to anyone who blends shampoo.
Submited By: Milena from Winnipeg, Manitoba on 05/22/2009
Loyal Customer Since: 2005
Rating:

This shampoo, with the addition of roman chamomile, rosemary, lemon, lime, and orange EO gives me the lightest and most shiny hair I've ever had. But when I started using this with new direction's conditioner (with clary sage and rosemary added), I could hardly believe it. Sure, essential oils can change the behaviour of a base dramatically, but it makes a difference when the base is great to start with. I'm so pleased to have discovered this product! A little goes a long way, and it'll be a long time before I want to try something different!
Submited By: Evelyn from North Olmsted, Ohio on 03/27/2009
Loyal Customer Since: 2008
Rating:

I found this to be Excellent! My hair is fine and colored :) I didn't see any drastic difference in lather and the useage is much less versus store shampoo with so many chemicals! When my hair was about chin lenth I didn't need a contioner it detangled fine which is saying something! As it's gotten longer now I need the extra conditioning but overall I Love this product and am designing a line for men women and kids! Thank you for developing a Safer shampoo !
Submited By: Elizabeth from Aledo, Illinois on 02/21/2009
Loyal Customer Since: 2008
Rating:

I have really mixed feelings about this product. I love using it and then I don't. I have bought this twice now and each time, no matter how I do it, it liquefies on me and I can't get it to thicken back up after adding e.o. and the such. I've tried a few drops, I have tried different types and I have just added a little fragrance. No matter what It looses it's gel like consistency. But it still cleans really well, my hair feels great but it's a runny mess and in that state it's hard to use just a little of it. If anyone has ideas on how to thicken it after you added a few drops of e.o. please post them!! Because I can't seem to do it.
Submited By: Brooke from Asheville, North Carolina on 02/04/2009
Loyal Customer Since: 2008
Rating:

I thought that the SLS-free shampoo would be excellent -since so many other products on this site are- but after testing it myself for a week, I think it's the worst product from NDA. My head was itchy every day, I always had a dry scalp, and my hair didn't feel clean at all. My boyfriend also tried it with the same result (even though I didn't tell him the problems I was having). I tried it with the Premium Conditioner (which I also found sub-par for NDA), and did not have a favorable experience all together. Even my hands became dry and itchy after getting out of the shower. Unless I'm allergic to an ingredient in the shampoo (not very likely; I use another brand of SLS-free shampoo with the same ingredients), I would not recommend this product.
Submited By: Wendy from Toronto, Ontario on 01/29/2009
Loyal Customer Since: 2005
Rating:

I just got my SLS free shampoo yesterday. I tired it out last night with some EO's...went to sleep and woke up with beautifully soft hair!! I colour my hair, and it feels super light weight and healthy. I usually use the expensive "salon quality" shampoos loaded with chemicals!! I AM IN LOVE!!
Submited By: Stephanie from Burlington, Ontario on 01/03/2009
Loyal Customer Since: 2005
Rating:

Outstanding value for the product! Lathers very well and holds EO's without compromising the texture of the product. Highly recommended!
Submited By: Louis from New York, New York on 12/07/2008
Loyal Customer Since: 2008
Rating:

The shampoo base is excellent. My daughter was looking for a little more moisture in the shampoo so I decided to add some of the NDA refined Shea butter. I melted the Shea butter in a pan until it was a liquid. I then heated the shampoo base to about 150 degrees F and added the Shea butter trying to keep both formulas about the same temperature. The amount of Shea butter I added was 10% of the base solution. I let it cool to about 125 degrees F before adding the extract so it wouldn't burn off. The resulting shampoo was amazing. Everyone in the house is clamoring for it. Will definitely be mixing in the Shea butter from now on.
Submited By: Almond from Beverly Hills, California on 11/24/2008
Loyal Customer Since: 2006
Rating:

Hi- My first time using any of your bases, but I am E X T R A PLEASED with the SLS Shampoo base. I Love it! I have course hair and I usually like to try before selling it. I'm sure my customers will too! Thank you. I wish there was a substitue for the DMDM.
Submited By: Glenyce from Vermilion, Alberta on 11/11/2008
Loyal Customer Since: 2005
Rating:

Excellent quality. I am so happy with this shampoo! I mix Patchouli Dark and Clary Sage with it to combat hair loss.
Submited By: Karine from Kemptville, Ontario on 10/22/2008
Loyal Customer Since: 2005
Rating:

What a great price for SLS-free shampoo! I've only used it on its own and it was very gently, yet efficient on my naturally curly hair. I can't wait to start experimenting with essential oils with it!
Submited By: Kylee from Las Vegas, Nevada on 08/19/2008
Loyal Customer Since: 2008
Rating:

Works great. Wish it did not have such a harsh preservative, but otherwise, good, gentle product.
Submited By: Chantal from Greenfield Park, Quebec on 07/06/2008
Loyal Customer Since: 2005
Rating:

I have been in the hair care business for almost 35 years. This SLS free shampoo is excellent on its own or with essential oils added. It does lather sufficiently and therefore does not leave any residue like other commercial shampoos. It is very important to respect the rule as mentionned in the description not to add more than .5% of essential oils. I tried mixing 1% essential oils in a small batch and it changed the consistency to a gel like substance. The second time, I put .5% and the result was superb. I thank you New Directions for having such a great product at a great price. I used to buy the same shampoo from another supplier in the past and paid almost twice the price.
Submited By: Laury from Brampton, Ontario on 03/08/2008
Loyal Customer Since: 2005
Rating:

I will agree that the lathering is considerably less than any other shampoo you might purchase, however this does not affect the performance of the product. I find this shampoo to be very gentle to my hair and scalp. I use a very small amount and it does the job well, sometimes I add EO to the shampoo however I usually just use it without any additives....Excellent product and very well priced when you consider how much 1 small bottle of shampoo will cost you in specialty stores!!
Submited By: Sandi from Vancouver, British Columbia on 02/17/2008
Loyal Customer Since: 2005
Rating:

Thank you ND for offering an alternative to the toxic products out there! The more people using these types of things the more we can get the word out about what's really in the drugstore.
Submited By: Heidi from Nanaimo, British Columbia on 01/28/2008
Loyal Customer Since: 2005
Rating:

My 3 year old son gets a rash from many shampoos including "children's shampoos". I tried this and will only use it form now on. He has not had any rah or irritation from it and it is nice to be able to lightly sent it. Thank you. You have solved at least one mothers problem!
Submited By: Tina from Auburn, Georgia on 12/17/2007
Loyal Customer Since: 2007
Rating:

I wrote a review about the conditioner base and had to comment on the shampoo! Not since "Creme of Nature" shampoo back in the late '80's early '90's has there been a shampoo so good at detangling!!! And again my hair felt clean, not stripped! As I mentioned before I have natural Afro coily/curly hair that which in essence means the hair coils around itself, and if not using the proper product when trying to comb it out, could lead to hair breakage! I was seriously considering just offering only hair butters because I could control what ingredients went in the product client but now I rejoice because you have hair case bases that are not only good for your hair but fantastic!!! I will also enlist the aide of my human guinea pigs with similar hair types, and believe me there are many and see what they think. I know this will be a hughe seller! Thanks so much for making hair care bases that I can with good conscience market not only to people with Afro type hair but others with super curly/coily hair!
Submited By: Karen from Nepean, Ontario on 02/24/2007
Loyal Customer Since: 2005
Rating:

I have not found the reduced amount of foam to be a deterrent at all, considering the benefits of using an SLS free product. It is crystal-clear and rich, with excellent cleansing properties. Holds scent beautifully. One of my absolute favourite NDA bases. I wish I'd bought a larger quantity!
Submited By: Jeannine from St. John's, Newfoundland on 08/02/2006
Loyal Customer Since: 2005
Rating:

I feel really good using this product knowing that it is free of SLS and SLES ingredient. I am very conscious of the products I use, especially when I think these ingredients are being absorbed close to the brain. Everything helps. What I do find with this product, is that there is less lather than the store bought shampoo formula. Lots of marketing is focused on the rich lather, but is this simply a selling tool, regardless of the harm on the body?

New Directions Aromatics Response:

SLS and SLES are the most common foaming agents used. They can be found in 99% of everything commercially available. By avoiding SLS and SLES and still offering a very robust cosmetic base, we are forced to use a formulation that results in less foam. Foam is the most common measure for a quality product, and while opinions vary on how important of a factor this is, we like to point out that modern car washes produce almost zero foam, but somehow our cars get clean!
Submited By: Phoebe from Toronto, Ontario on 09/28/2006
Loyal Customer Since: 2005
Rating:

I brought this product with several friends. We all loved the fact how this shampoo base is SLS free. It's very hard to find unscented SLS free shampoo to blend with essential oils on the market. Only suggestion is, it would be a lot better if this product is avaliable in smaller volume, such as 1L or 4L. I think most people would love to use it for personal instead of manufactural usage.
Customer with more
than 50 reviews
Submited By: Candice from Sarasota, Florida on 07/23/2006
Loyal Customer Since: 2006
Rating:

I am so excited you have this back in stock! For all of us who would not wish to use any harsh chemicals in our formulations this perfect SLS free shampoo base is just the ticket. Thank you New Directions for another great product!