Sulfate-free, silicone-free and more: what our filters actually check
By CurlCart ยท Updated October 1, 2026"Free of" can mean a lot of things on a label. Here's exactly what each CurlCart filter looks for, so you know what you're getting.
First, how filtering works
Filters only use full ingredient lists we've checked against the manufacturer's page. When a card says something like "No sulfates on the ingredient list", that's what it means: we read the list and didn't find any. If we haven't checked a product's list yet, it says "Ingredients not checked yet", and while you're using a filter it stays out of your routine. You can still see those products in a separate list if you ask for them. Products are never treated as "free of" something just because we don't know.
Sulfate cleansers
Catches: sulfate cleansers like sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate and sodium coco-sulfate.
Lets through: other cleansers (sulfonates, sulfosuccinates, isethionates), salts like magnesium sulfate, and the conditioner behentrimonium methosulfate, which isn't a cleanser.
Parabens
Catches: anything with "paraben" in the name, like methylparaben or propylparaben.
Good to know: parabens are preservatives that stop products from spoiling. Skipping them is a personal choice, and the FDA says it doesn't currently have information showing they affect health as used in cosmetics.
Silicones
Catches: names ending in -cone or -conol (dimethicone, amodimethicone, dimethiconol) and names with siloxane or silicone in them (cyclopentasiloxane).
Good to know: silicones give slip and shine. Some rinse out easily and some build up. The filter treats them all the same.
Mineral oil
Catches: mineral oil, also listed as paraffinum liquidum or paraffin oil.
Lets through: petrolatum (petroleum jelly) and paraffin wax, which are listed separately.
Listed fragrance
Catches: ingredients listed as fragrance, parfum or aroma.
Lets through: essential oils and named scent ingredients like linalool or limonene. So a product can pass and still smell like something. This isn't an allergy filter, so if fragrance is a real problem for you, read the full label.