Sulfates encompass a wide range of very different chemicals with very different chemical properties. For example, iron sulfate is a common form of iron used in supplements for people and in soil used for plants. Magnesium sulfate (aka “Epsom salts”) are used in therapeutic baths. There are even organisms found near deep-sea thermal vents that use naturally occurring sulfates for energy in place of sunlight. Clearly, not all sulfates are bad. We use Sodium Coco-Sulfate (in our Revitalizing Shampoo) that starts from Coconuts.