Hi there surfbug! Welcome to the forum!!!
You are right about Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. It IS a concern. In minute amounts they "claim" it isn't so harmful or toxic, yet I've read that it is something that can leave residue in our organs.
Sorry..didn't mean to scare you.
However, it is in everything we use and come in contact with. If it is in these small, minute amounts then I guess we're ok, yet who knows. There's a lot of cancer in this country. I would say to try and avoid it in the list of ingredients. Trick is, the higher up the list, the more of that ingredient, so if it is listed, go for the shampoo that has it the furthest down the list.
The only thing we can do to avoid it, is to purchase soaps, shampoos, toothpaste, hair products from special sources that are all natural and organic. They are costly, yet better for our health I know. Thank you for reminding me of that nasty stuff we know as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate.
As for your drying hair, use a deep, leave-in conditioner to replace and seal in your natural moisture. We both need to research (lol) shampoos as I have forgotten those which had less or no Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. Stand in the shampoo aisle at the store and you'll see what I know. There are MANY products that have it, to the point where it's ridiculous.
And think about other things you do to abuse your hair, like do you call yourself surfbug because you're an avid surfer??? Salt water will dry your hair out quickly, as will sun and wind. Elements in general. And we have to remember that we should be eating well as it all starts there too.
For now, use a deep conditioner and switch shampoos.
