haha...ye, they're pretty much all the same thing, with slight differences...it's the 'sulfate' part of it that's the tip-off...cuz if you really consider the alternative methods...

No 'poo...baking soda is sodium bicarbonate...
Natural shampoo bars that have a base of caustic soda/lye...you've got sodium hydroxide...

Not really sure of what the base is in 'no SLS' shampoos, since I've not used a bottled version...but just keep that 'sulfate' in mind if you're looking for an alternative and steer clear...sulfates are simply surfactants or detergents and when I think of those, I think of laundry detergent...and you wouldn't want to use those on your hair!!! 8-O

what about sodium lauryl glucose carboxylate? I have a bottled shampoo containing this. is it just as bad?

I'd always wondered what the deal is with SLS - I've heard it spoken of in tones of hatred but never really understood why. Having said that I have twice had to use several washes with washing up liquid to get stuff out my hair (nit oil anyone?) so I can't complain about surfactants in my shampoo lol...

Cedarwood oil? I had NO idea you could use that on your hair! I associate it with furniture polish.

aloevera based shampoos usually don't contain SLS

SLS is added because the consumer has come to believe the bigger the lather the better it works and no lather = bad. it is simply not true

it isn't so much if SLS is in shampoo but how much... there are many good quality shampoos that have small amounts of SLS and don't have damaging effects on the hair

however if you want to go SLS free there are many products to chose from including salon professional products. ~ just remember if you make the switch and keep adding more product because you waiting for it to lather it's not going to happen. also these products tend to be more concentrated so you want to use 1/2 to 1/4 the amount you used of your old shampoo or your hair will be dull and oilier faster some clients even complian of feeling a residu on their hair till they figured out the right amount.

I found a salon shampoo/conditioner that was claimed as "sulfate free." It was from the Sexy Hair line, called Healthy Sexy Hair. The shampoo was called chocolate soy milk shampoo and smelled like the toys and dolls I'd get as a child that had "chocolate scent." It made me happy every time I smelled it! Anyways, I digress...the shampoo did not contain sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate. As for the other stuff mentioned on this post, I'm not sure. I didn't read the label that closely. The shampoo seemed to lather just fine, though, if anyone's worried about that. I know that's not what makes your hair clean, but it just makes some people feel warm and fuzzy inside to have all that white foam on our heads!