Should sodium lauryl sulfate be avoided?
While not toxic to humans in low enough amounts, sodium lauryl sulfate, or SLS, is widely considered one of those ingredients in hygiene products that people should probably avoid. Because sodium lauryl sulfate is the ingredient that causes hygiene products to foam, it's found in most toothpastes.
Are sulfate shampoos really that bad?
“In shampoos, fatty alcohol sulfates can be harsh on the hair,” Foltis explains. “This results in raised cuticles, oxidative hair color loss, and a stripped hair feel. The ‘laureth’ modifications are milder. Additionally, sulfates can be drying on the scalp.
Is sodium lauryl sulphate harmful?
It is probably the most dangerous. Sodium lauryl sulfate is the victim of an urban myth similar to the one that haunts parabens. It is accused of causing cancer. This is false. However, there may be other reasons to avoid sodium lauryl sulfate and even its gentler sister, sodium laureth sulfate. 1,4-Dioxane contamination.
Does sodium lauryl sulphate cause cancer?
Does sodium lauryl sulfate cause cancer? There is no scientific evidence supporting that SLS is a carcinogen, according to one recent study. ( 1 ) In fact, SLS is not listed as a carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), U.S. National Toxicology Program, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the European Union.
Is laureth sulfate bad for skin?
Health: SLS and SLES can irritate eyes, skin, and lungs, especially with long-term use. SLES may also be contaminated with a substance called 1,4-dioxane, which is known to cause cancer in laboratory animals. This contamination occurs during the manufacturing process.
Should I avoid sodium laureth sulfate?
Who should avoid SLS? People with a history of sensitive skin, hyperirritable skin and patients suffering from skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis (eczema), rosacea and psoriasis are best to avoid products containing SLS.
Is sodium sulfate bad for skin?
"Sulfates can often dry out the skin, and some people find they may lead to more acne when their skin is in frequent contact with sodium lauryl sulfate,” explains Dr. Lortscher. “This is typically less of a problem with body skin [versus face skin], so most people tolerate sodium lauryl sulfate in body washes."
What's wrong with sodium laureth sulfate?
Sodium laureth sulfate has been implicated in several health concerns including skin and eye irritation, but the main problem with this chemical is the fact that it's frequently contaminated by 1,4 dioxane, a known carcinogen that is a common by-product of the manufacturing process [2].
What can I use instead of sodium laureth sulfate?
Some safer alternatives you can look for in your products include SLSA (sodium lauryl sulfoacetate), Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Disodium / Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Decyl glucoside, and Lauryl glucoside.
Why is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate banned?
SLS and SLES Of greater concern is the manufacturing process used to turn sodium lauryl sulfate into sodium laureth sulfate, which creates the byproduct 1,4-dioxane–a known animal carcinogen and probable human carcinogen that is also suspected to be toxic to the kidneys and respiratory system.
What is the difference between sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate?
The Key Difference SLES is much gentler and doesn't strip the epidermis of any excess moisture, leaving it feeling soft, smooth and nourished. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is actually the parent chemical that is modified to make Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES).
Does CeraVe have SLS?
CeraVe, a well formulated and affordable skin care line found in most drugstores, has a great foaming facial cleanser that is SLS free. It also includes hyaluronic acid to moisturize skin and niacinamide to reduce enlarged pores and promote overall skin health.
Which sulfates are bad for skin?
Whether from laundry detergent, soap, or shampoo, the sulfates can cause reactions in sensitive people. Sometimes, sulfates like SLS and SLES end up removing too much oil, washing off the skin's protective barrier and causing redness and dry, itchy skin.
Is sodium laureth sulfate good for face?
Is sodium laureth sulfate good for your skin? No! Sodium laureth sulphate can cause severe acne, skin irritation and clog your pores, thus deteriorating your skin health.
Is sodium laureth sulfate natural?
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), a cleaning agent and surfactant, is an ingredient in many personal care and cleaning products. SLS can be derived from natural sources like coconut and palm kernel oil and can also be manufactured in a laboratory setting.
What shampoo does not have sodium laureth sulfate?
141 resultsSheaMoisture Curl and Shine Conditioner for Thick Curly Hair Coconut and Hibiscus - 13 fl oz. ... SheaMoisture Curl and Shine Coconut Shampoo for Curly Hair Coconut and Hibiscus - 13 fl oz. ... SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Kids Extra-Moisturizing Detangler - 8 fl oz.More items...
Is sodium laureth sulfate bad in shampoo?
According to most research, SLS is an irritant but not a carcinogen. Studies have shown no link between the use of SLS and increased cancer risk. According to a 2015 study, SLS is safe for use in household cleaning products.
Does sodium laureth sulfate cause baldness?
So while Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Laureth Sulfate are not directly linked to hair loss, if your shampoo contains high amounts of these sulfates, it can not only damage in the proteins in your hair which increases the likelihood of hair breakage but it can also irritate your skin, causing you to lose even more hair.
Is sodium laureth sulfate better than sodium lauryl sulfate?
Unlike SLS, Sodium Laureth Sulfate won't aggravate your skin or strip it of any excess moisture. Skincare products containing SLES will be just as cleansing, foaming and emulsifying as SLS but they will also benefit your skin after use by leaving it feeling silky soft, smooth and nourished.
Is sodium lauryl sulfate safe to consume?
So even though sodium lauryl sulfate is a known skin irritant, it can be used on the skin and in the mouth as long as you don't keep it on for too long. Product labels must state that SLS is in the mix. Only so much of it is allowed to be in any given product, though the amount may vary by country.
What is the difference between sodium laureth sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate?
The main difference is that sodium laureth sulfate binds less to the skin which results in a reduced likelihood of irritation or sensitivity.
What is sodium lauryl sulfate?
Sodium lauryl sulfate is usually extracted from the fatty acids in coconut oil or palm oil and is known as a common surfactant which means that it is a great ingredient for breaking down oils and lifting dirt from the skin. Sodium lauryl sulfate can also be produced synthetically, creating less strain on environmental resources like coconut and palm oil. Synthetic manufacturing also keeps the cost down, making your products affordable. One of the main reasons sodium lauryl sulfate is so widely used is that it is a milder surfactant that other similar ingredients such as sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) and ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS). It also gives the products the lather and foam that we are so used to when cleansing.
What products contain sodium lauryl sulfate?
Which Types of Products Contain Sodium Lauryl Sulfate? Sodium lauryl sulfate is mainly used in toothpaste, shampoos, soaps, and facial cleansers but can also be found in skincare products such as moisturizers, hair gel, lip balm, and hair removal creams.
What is SLS in toothpaste?
Sodium lauryl sulfate is an effective cleansing ingredient, helping to break down oils and lift dirt allowing them to be washed away. This is why SLS’ is used in so many cleansing products such as body washes, facial cleansers, shampoos, and even toothpaste.
What is the best foaming agent for skin?
the good: Sodium lauryl sulfate is a great foaming agent and helps to lift oils and dirt from the skin, allowing them to be washed away.
Why is sodium lauryl sulfate used in synthetic products?
One of the main reasons sodium lauryl sulfate is so widely used is that it is a milder surfactant that other similar ingredients such as sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) and ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS). It also gives the products the lather and foam ...
Why is SLS important?
SLS helps to improve the lather or foam of a product. This is an important element of the formulation process. Not only does the lather help to cleanse the skin but it also helps to improve the texture and sensory feel of the product. This helps the skin to feel cleaner and refreshed. Antibacterial.
Who is the author of sodium lauryl sulfate?
Dangers of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. By Karen Eisenbraun. ABOUT THE AUTHOR. Karen Eisenbraun. Karen Eisenbraun has a Bachelor of Arts in English from Knox College and has been writing professionally since 2004. She is the content director for several health-related websites and a certified holistic nutrition consultant.
What is SLS in shampoo?
Sodium lauryl sulfate allows shampoos and other body products to foam. A common ingredient in personal care products, sodium lauryl sulfate, or SLS, is an additive that allows cleansing products to foam. According to the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database, SLS is a "moderate hazard" that has been linked to cancer, ...
What is SLS in aquarex?
SLS may also be listed as sodium dodecyl sulfate, sulfuric acid, monododecyl ester, sodium salt, sodium salt sulfuric acid, sodium dodecyl sulfate, aquarex me or aquarex methyl, reports the EWG.
What products are SLS free?
According to Mother Nature Network, a related product known as sodium coco sulfate, which is also a coconut derivative, may be less irritating than SLS or SLES.
Which is more irritating, SLS or SLES?
Related chemicals include sodium laureth sulfate , or SLES, which has a higher foaming ability and is slightly less irritating than SLS, according to Mercola.com. Ammonium lauryl sulfate, or ALS, is similar to SLS and poses similar risks.
Does SLS accumulate over time?
However, studies involving the long-term cumulative effects of continued SLS exposure are lacking. Since your body lacks the enzymes needed to break down certain chemicals, allowing them to accumulate over time, consumer advocacy groups such as the EWG advise using SLS-containing products with caution. Advertisement.
Can you feed SLS to animals?
According to Mercola.com, most studies conducted on SLS involve feeding pure SLS to animals or applying it directly to their eyes. Exposure of this sort is not ordinarily experienced through normal cosmetic use. However, studies involving the long-term cumulative effects of continued SLS exposure are lacking.
Why is SLS bad for you?
Also, one of the reasons that SLS has a bad reputation as a cosmetic additive and shampoo ingredient is that it dries the skin. SLS is found in aqueous cream products, which are recommended by health professionals to treat eczema and other skin conditions like dermatitis or psoriasis. The drying effect worsens skin conditions.
What are the other ingredients that are related to SLES?
What are the other ingredients or compounds that are related to SLES? SLES is derived from sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). SLS can be extracted from petroleum, coconut oil, or palm oil. SLES is created through a process wherein ethylene oxide is mixed into SLS to make the compound safer and gentler.
How is SLS made?
SLS is produced by mixing sulfuric acid and lauric acid (which is extract from coconut or palm oil). Sodium carbonate is added to neutralize the compound. Some reports have proclaimed that the SLS and formaldehyde in products can create nitrosamines (a group of potential carcinogens).
What is SLES in water?
Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) is a chemical surfactant that can be dissolved in water and oil. It is derived from inexpensive raw materials and easily processed into a liquid compound that can be mixed into various products. It was initially used as an ingredient for synthetic detergents that are manufactured as cheaper alternatives ...
How much 1,4 dioxane is in SLES?
Some products have been found to contain up to 300 ppm of 1,4-dioxane. A study has shown that this amount can cause irritation in some people.
Does soap foam remove oil based dirt?
These qualities allow shampoos and liquid soaps to produce foam and clean surfaces. But it isn’t the foam that actually removes oil-based dirt, it is the SLES molecules that trap dirt and oil-based substances (like excess sebum from the scalp or grease on the ground) and allow it to be rinsed away. The foam can be compared to tiny hands that allow the SLES to do its work.
Does SLES cause hair to dry?
The drying effect worsens skin conditions. Additionally, since SLES attracts oil, it can strip off the skin’s natural oils leaving behind dry and damaged skin and hair. Some people, though, have different reactions to the compound. Their hair and skin actually become oilier, which forces users to wash more often.
What is the difference between sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate?
They function similarly in the sense that both ingredients create that foamy feel in products, but as Fu explains it, sodium lauryl sulfate binds to proteins on the skin's surface more than sodium laureth sulfate.
What is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate?
According to Jaliman, sodium lauryl sulfate (aka SLS) is a surfactant that has many different functions, but it acts as a cleansing agent in skincare. It's a type of sulfate and is derived from coconut oil, palm kernel oil, or petroleum oil. Jaliman describes the form as a crystal-like powder, which can be found most commonly in soaps, cleansers, body washes, makeup removers, toothpaste, and shampoos. As a foaming agent, sodium lauryl sulfate can help a product cleanse better or more thoroughly by sudsing up and creating a foamy lather.
Why do you need to moisturize after showering?
And lastly, because sodium lauryl sulfate can be drying or irritating, Jaliman suggests finishing with a moisturizer right after you get out of the shower to restore your skin.
What is the potential for irritation based on?
But Lu adds that the potential for irritation is mostly based on the concentration of sodium lauryl sulfate. "The higher the concentration, the higher the potential of irritation," Lu says.
Does sodium lauryl sulfate bind water and oil together?
Emulsifies: According to Jaliman, sodium lauryl sulfate can help to bind two ingredients together, such as oil and water, to prevent separation in the formula. Fights bacteria: Jaliman says it also has some antibacterial and antimicrobial properties.
Can you use sodium lauryl sulfate on sensitive skin?
However, both dermatologists say other skin types should be fine using it if they want to, and Lu adds that these people don't need to swear off sulfates altogether. "Generally, for all other skin types, we wouldn’t go as extreme as recommending to avoid all sulfates, because it’s still possible to create a good, non-stripping formula that contains sulfates," Lu says.
Is sodium lauryl sulfate good for skin?
Benefits of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate for Skin. A relatively inexpensive ingredient, sodium lauryl sulfate is included in a wide variety of products with a wide range of uses. In skincare, it's predominantly used as a detergent to remove oils . Lathers up: The foamy lather is not only used for its sensory properties ...
