A lot of shampoos that are formulated with gentler cleansers do not lather as well as shampoos with harsher cleansers. Sodium laureth sulfate or lauryl sulfate are two common and inexpensive foaming agents found in shampoos that create lather. However, many companies, particularly natural and organic companies as well as some salon brands are finding gentler replacements as surfactants in their shampoos, because both sodium laureth sulfate and lauryl sulfate have been known to cause skin irritation in some individuals, can strip haircolor, and in general are over drying. Shampoos formulated with ingredients such as sodium coco-sulfate, decyl and lauryl glucoside, and other corn/coconut derivatives are gentler to the scalp and hair, and while some formulations produce foam, many do not. Keep in mind that suds does not equate optimal cleansing. Try adding a bit more water to your hair while the shampoo is on, because that may help to bring more sudsing action.
And if your shampoo does by chance contain sodium laureth sulfate or lauryl sulfate and is still not lathering, then that means you will need to shampoo more than once. No lather in a shampoo that is meant to lather means that the hair is still not clean, hence the term lather, rinse, repeat.
