
Uses & Benefits
- Personal Care Products. SLS has been an ingredient in shampoos since the 1930s. ...
- Cleaning Products. SLS is an effective surfactant used in household cleaning products to help remove oily stains and residues, such as food stains in carpets.
- Food Additive. As a food additive, SLS is used as an emulsifier or thickener. ...
What is SLS and how does it work?
An effective foaming agent, SLS can help create a rich lather in products like body and hand wash, facial cleansers and bubble. Likewise, SLS helps create the foaming action in toothpaste and also helps remove food particles from teeth.
What is SLS and is it safe?
SLS is also used as a food additive, usually as an emulsifier or a thickener. It can be found in dried egg products, some marshmallow products, and certain dry beverage bases. Are there dangers? The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regards SLS as safe as a food additive.
What is “SLS free”?
If any contact with skin occurs, rinse clean! What is “SLS free”? Many manufacturers try to market their products as “safer” and “milder” by slapping on a label such as “SLS free”, or “SLS and SLES free.”

What products contain SLS?
Sodium lauryl sulfate is found in products such as engine degreasers, floor cleaners, car wash soaps, toothpastes, shampoos, shaving foams, dissolvable aspirins, and bubble baths.
Why is SLS harmful?
SLS and Safety. Your skin works hard to keep damaging things from getting through its top layer. Surfactants generally can be harmful because they can sometimes penetrate that layer. Research has found that SLS can irritate the skin and that warm water makes the irritation worse.
What is SLS ingredient?
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is commonly used in skincare products such as body wash, cleansers, shampoos and hand washes. It's the ingredient that gives these products the foamy, bubbly consistency most of us associate with a squeaky clean.
What else is SLS in?
You can find SLS in shampoo, soap, shaving cream, toothpaste, and other personal care. Household cleaning products utilize SLS in laundry detergent, dish soap, carpet shampoo, and surface cleaner.
Does Colgate contain SLS?
SLS is a surfactant that makes things foam and a major ingredient in most popular toothpaste sold in the grocery store. Crest, Colgate, AquaFresh, and Pepsodent contain SLS; Sensodyne is a major brand that doesn't.
Does Listerine contain SLS?
Aroma (flavor), Benzoic Acid, Blue 1, Methyl Salicylate, Poloxamer 407, Propylene Gly-col, Red 1, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Saccharin, Sorbitol, Su-cralose, Water (eau).
Is SLS toxic?
This means that while SLS is moderately toxic to aquatic life in its raw material form, product formulations that contain dilutions of SLS are not necessarily moderately toxic and, in fact, can be nontoxic to aquatic life.
Is SLS in toothpaste harmful?
SLS is a safe compound for consumer personal care products and not a known carcinogen, says the NIH. Stomatitis or mouth sore sufferers that use SLS toothpaste will develop more irritation, says the NIH, while toothpaste without SLS will reduce the pain.
Does Sensodyne have SLS in it?
Most Sensodyne toothpastes are also free of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), an inactive ingredient that makes toothpastes foamy when brushing. The following toothpastes do not contain SLS: Sensodyne Extra Whitening. Sensodyne Full Protection.
Does Dove soap have SLS?
Surfactant Sulphates We work this way because we're continually striving to give you the best Dove products to take care of your skin. In our hair products, we only use sodium laureth sulphate (SLES) and sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) because we know they have the most effective cleansing and emulsifying properties.
Who uses SLS?
SLS is an effective surfactant used in household cleaning products to help remove oily stains and residues, such as food stains in carpets. Because of its ability to break down oil and grease, SLS also is an ingredient in many industrial cleaning products, such as engine degreasers and industrial strength detergents.
How common is SLS allergy?
An SLS allergy is rare. However, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate sensitivity is common. SLS can be harsh on tender or sensitive skin. If your skin is sensitive or damaged, contact with SLS can make matters worse.
Is SLS toxic?
This means that while SLS is moderately toxic to aquatic life in its raw material form, product formulations that contain dilutions of SLS are not necessarily moderately toxic and, in fact, can be nontoxic to aquatic life.
Is SLS in toothpaste harmful?
SLS is a safe compound for consumer personal care products and not a known carcinogen, says the NIH. Stomatitis or mouth sore sufferers that use SLS toothpaste will develop more irritation, says the NIH, while toothpaste without SLS will reduce the pain.
Is sulfate harmful to humans?
Sulfates are a large part of the haze pollution that irritates the lungs and affects your lung health. Dry skin. Dry skin is a common health effect of sulfates in consumer products. Whether from laundry detergent, soap, or shampoo, the sulfates can cause reactions in sensitive people.
Is it safe to ingest sodium lauryl sulfate?
Undiluted SLS can cause skin and eye irritation, as well as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea if ingested, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
Why is SLS used in cleaning products?
This means it lowers the surface tension between ingredients, which is why it’s used as a cleansing and foaming agent. Most concerns about SLS stem from the fact that it can be found in beauty and self-care products as well as in household cleaners.
What are the products that are used in the dental industry?
Dental care products, such as toothpaste, teeth whitening products, and mouthwash. Bath products, such as bath oils or salts, body wash, and bubble bath. Creams and lotions, such as hand cream, masks, anti-itch creams, hair-removal products, and sun screen.
Is sodium laureth sulfate a surfactant?
Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) is a surfactant with a similar chemical formula. However, SLES is milder and less irritating than SLS.
Is SLS safe for personal care products?
The amount of SLS found in your personal care products is limited in concentration. For people who simply don’t believe that SLS is safe, or don’t want to try their luck , an increasing number of products that don’t contain SLS are appearing on the market.
Is SLS a carcinogen?
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.
Is SLS a food additive?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regards SLS as safe as a food additive.
Is SLS safe for humans?
However, the same assessment did suggest some possible, albeit minimal, risk to humans using SLS. For example, some tests found that continuous skin exposure to SLS could cause mild to moderate irritation in animals. Nevertheless, the assessment concluded that SLS is safe in formulations used in cosmetics and personal care products.
What is SLS used for?
SLS is used for high productivity manufacturing tasks thanks to the laser’s high power and capability to scan quickly and accurately. It is a technology able to produce durable prototypes from a broad range of nylon-based materials, and it is also capable of printing independently moving parts in a single build. SLS is known as the go-to technology for producing complex shapes. It does not require a support structure and utilises unused powder to further add to its strength. In industries where lightweight material is imperative to a successful design (for example, aircraft building and automotive) SLS printed parts are invaluable.
What are the drawbacks of SLS?
One of its key drawbacks is cost. Compared to FDM and SLA printers which are obtainable for around $500 or less, a desktop SLS printer is a few thousand dollars, thus compromising its appeal for hobbyists.
How does Selective Laser Sintering work?
SLS uses a nylon or polyamide powder which is spread successively in thin layers with a high-powered laser that selectively sinters the powder according to data derived from digital models. This process is repeated layer after layer, binding the powdered material together to produce a final, firm structure. Excess powder is removed manually to reveal the final shape before bead blasting is applied to further remove powder residue.
Why is SLS printing wasteful?
This is because the resin in SLA printing can be reused whereas the quality of reused powder in SLS printing is compromised and needs to be disposed of. Coupled with this, the process of cleaning the powder from the finished product is messy. In an industrial setting, this does not cause a problem as cleaning chambers are often used, however, this necessary procedure can be off-putting for those using a small scale or desktop printers as the powder is difficult to control.
Can businesses store digital files for SLS printing?
Businesses are able to store the digital files needed for SLS printing inexpensively and reproduce designs as and when required, instead of spending money on the expensive storage of moulds used in traditional manufacturing.
Is SLS a 3D printer?
SLS is a proven and effective form of 3D printing and has been used in manufacturing for decades. Predominantly used in an industrial setting for rapid prototyping, it is difficult to envisage its use for smaller-scale activities as the inherent expense, poor recyclability of powder and complexity of use have so far formed a barrier for 3D printing novices.
What Is SLS?
SLS is the sodium salt of lauryl sulfate. Many personal care products contain this ingredient. It also goes by a few different names you might see on product labels, including sodium dodecyl sulfate, dodecyl sulfate, sodium salt, or sodium n-dodecyl sulfate.
5 Myths about SLS
SLS has developed a negative reputation for various claims, from skin irritation to questions over its safety. However, scientific research busts the myths surrounding this commonly used ingredient.
Alternatives to SLS
While SLS is considered safe for use, there are alternative options if you have a known sensitivity to the ingredient. SLS-free toothpastes use ingredients such as lauryl glucoside and sodium cocoyl glutamate—both derived from coconut or palm kernel oil and corn—as dispersants and foaming agents.
What is SLS used for?
SLS is also used in lower concentrations in household and personal care products such as cleaning products, toothpastes, shampoos, and shaving foams.
What Is SLS?
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), also known as Sodium dodecyl sulfate, is a widely used surfactant in cleaning products, cosmetics, and personal care products. The sodium lauryl sulfate formula is a highly effective anionic surfactant used to remove oily stains and residues. It is found in high concentrations in industrial products, including engine degreasers, floor cleaners, and car wash products, where workplace protections can be implemented to avoid unsafe exposures. SLS is also used in lower concentrations in household and personal care products such as cleaning products, toothpastes, shampoos, and shaving foams.
What is SLS in cleaning products?
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is a widely used surfactant in cleaning products, cosmetic, and personal care products. SLS's uses in these products have been thoroughly evaluated and determined to be safe for consumers and the environment.
Is sodium sulfate a cosmetic?
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate may be used in cosmetics and personal care products marketed in Europe according to the general provisions of the Cosmetics Directive of the European Union. Link to the EU Cosmetics Directive: http://ec.europa.eu/commission/index_en.
Can Lauryl Sulfate be used in cosmetics?
For example, both ingredients are permitted to be used as components of coatings. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate may be used in cosmetics and personal care products marketed in Europe according to the general provisions of the Cosmetics Directive of the European Union.
Is sodium sulfate a food additive?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) includes Sodium Lauryl Sulfate on its list of multipurpose additives allowed to be directly added to food. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate are also approved indirect food additives. For example, both ingredients are permitted to be used as components of coatings.
Where is SLS found?
It is found in high concentrations in industrial products, including engine degreasers, floor cleaners, and car wash products, where workplace protections can be implemented to avoid unsafe exposures. SLS is also used in lower concentrations in household and personal care products such as cleaning products, toothpastes, shampoos, and shaving foams.
What is SLS used for?
SLS is an effective surfactant used in household cleaning products to help remove oily stains and residues , such as food stains in carpets. Because of its ability to break down oil and grease, SLS also is an ingredient in many industrial cleaning products, such as engine degreasers and industrial strength detergents.
Why is SLS used in toothpaste?
SLS is a common ingredient in toothpaste because it helps make toothpaste foam and it helps remove food debris from teeth. The American Dental Association lists SLS as an ingredient that can help improve oral health.
What is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate?
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. 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. Uses & Benefits.
What is the concentration of SLS in food?
In products intended for prolonged skin contact, the concentration of SLS in the product should not exceed 1 percent. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) includes SLS on its list of multipurpose additives allowed as a direct food additive.
Where can SLS residue be found?
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations also states that small amounts of SLS residues from cleaning products may remain on food contact surfaces in public eating places, dairy-processing equipment and food-processing equipment and utensils. ( 5)
Is SLS safe for skin?
Some believe that SLS is too harsh to safely use on skin, but claims that SLS is corrosive to the skin are inaccurate. While cleaning products containing SLS may have the potential to be skin irritants if not made properly, products that contain SLS are not necessarily irritating to the skin. According to a 2015 peer-reviewed study published in Environmental Health Insights, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that skin contact with SLS causes hair loss and no scientific evidence indicating that SLS is a carcinogen.
Does SLS work in hair?
It works as a surfactant, trapping oil and dirt in hair so it can rinse away with water. An effective foaming agent, SLS can help create a rich lather in products like body and hand wash, facial cleansers and bubble.
What is SLS in Formlabs?
With the Fuse 1, Formlabs is bringing the industrial power of selective laser sintering (SLS) to the benchtop, offering high-performance materials at the lowest cost per part, with a compact footprint and simple workflow.
Why is SLS 3D printing so good?
Given the fast scanning speed of the laser, the nesting of parts to maximize build capacity, and simple post-processing, SLS 3D printing offers the highest productivity and throughput of all plastic additive manufacturing techniques.
What is Selective Laser Sintering 3D Printing?
Selective laser sintering is an additive manufacturing (AM) technology that uses a high power laser to sinter small particles of polymer powder into a solid structure based on a 3D model.
Why does selective laser sintering not require support structures?
Selective laser sintering does not require support structures because unsintered powder surrounds the parts during printing. SLS printing can produce previously impossible complex geometries, such as interlocking or moving parts, parts with interior components or channels, and other highly complex designs.
What material is used for laser sintering?
The most common material for selective laser sintering is nylon, a highly capable engineering thermoplastic for both functional prototyping and end-use production. Nylon is ideal for complex assemblies and durable parts with high environmental stability.
What is the key to SLS 3D printing?
The key to SLS 3D printing’s functionality and versatility is the materials. Nylon and its composites are proven, high-quality thermoplastics. Laser-sintered nylon parts have close to 100 percent density with mechanical properties comparable to parts created with conventional manufacturing methods like injection molding.
Why do engineers use selective laser sintering?
Engineers and manufacturers choose selective laser sintering for its design freedom, high productivity and throughput, low cost per part, and proven, end-use materials.
What is SLS?
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) is an Additive Manufacturing process that belongs to the Powder Bed Fusion family. In SLS, a laser selectively sinters the particles of a polymer powder, fusing them together and building a part layer-by-layer. The materials used in SLS are thermoplastic polymers that come in a granular form.
What material is used in SLS?
The mechanical properties of SLS specimens printed using standard polyamide powder (PA 12 or Nylon 12), the most commonly used material in SLS, are shown in the next table and compared to the properties of bulk nylon.
What is SLS 3D printing?
SLS 3D Printing is used for both prototyping of functional polymer components and for small production runs, as it offers a very high design freedom, high accuracy and produces parts with good and consistent mechanical properties, unlike FDM or SLA. The capabilities of the technology can be used to its fullest though, only when the designer takes into consideration its key benefits and limitations.
Why are SLS parts so brittle?
This is due to the internal porosity of the final part.
What does porosity mean in SLS?
Porosity gives SLS parts their characteristic grainy surface finish. It also means that SLS parts can absorb water, so they can be easily dyed in a hot bath to a large range of colors but also that they require special post-processing if they are to be used in a humid environment.
What is the price of SLS?
The most widely used SLS material is Polyamide 12 (PA 12), also known as Nylon 12. The price per kilogram of PA 12 powder is approximately $50 - $60. Other engineering thermoplastics, such as PA 11 and PEEK, are also available but are not as widely used.
What is the default layer height in SLS?
In SLS almost all process parameters are preset by the machine manufacturer. The default layer height used is 100-120 microns.

The Power to Explore Beyond Earth’s Orbit
- To fulfill America’s future needs for deep space missions, SLS will evolve into increasingly more powerful configurations. SLS is designed for deep space missions and will send Orion or other cargo to the Moon, which is nearly 1,000 times farther than where NASA’s International Space Station resides in low-Earth orbit. The high-performance rocket w...
Space Launch System Missions
- Artemis I, the first integrated flight of SLS and Orion, uses the Block 1 configuration, which stands 322 feet, taller than the Statue of Liberty, and weighs 5.75 million lbs. During launch and ascent, SLS will produce 8.8 million lbs. of maximum thrust, 15 percent more thrust than the Saturn V rocket. For Artemis I, Block 1 will launch an uncrewed Orion spacecraft to an orbit 40,000 miles …
Building The Rocket
- NASA is building the rockets needed for several missions. To reduce cost and development time, NASA is upgrading proven hardware from the space shuttle and other exploration programs while making use of cutting-edge tooling and manufacturing technology. Some parts of the rocket are new and other parts have been upgraded with modern features that meet the needs of deep spa…
CORE Stage
- The Boeing Company, in Huntsville, Alabama, builds the SLS core stages, including the avionics that controls the vehicle during flight. Towering more than 212 feet with a diameter of 27.6 feet, the core stage stores 730,000 gallons of super-cooled liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen that fuel the RS-25 engines. Core stages are built at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans …
RS-25 Engines
- Propulsion for the SLS core stage will be provided by four RS-25 engines. Aerojet Rocketdyne of Sacramento, California, is upgrading an inventory of 16 RS-25 shuttle engines to SLS performance requirements, including a new engine controller, nozzle insulation, and required operation at 512,000 lbs. of thrust. During the flight, the four engines provide about 2 million lbs. …
Boosters
- Two shuttle-derived solid rocket boosters provide more than 75 percent of the vehicle’s thrust during the first two minutes of flight. The prime contractor for the boosters, Northrop Grumman’s Northern Utah team, has modified the original shuttle’s configuration of four propellant segments to a five-segment version. The design also includes new avionics, propellant grain design, and c…
Integrated Spacecraft/Payload Element
- The initial capability to propel Orion out of Earth’s orbit for Block 1 will come from the ICPS, based on the Delta Cryogenic Second Stage used successfully on United Launch Alliance’s Delta IV family of rockets. It uses one RL10 engine made by Aerojet Rocketdyne.The engine is powered by liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen and generates 24,750 lbs. of thrust. With two upper stages co…
Exploration Upper Stage
- The Exploration Upper Stage (EUS) is powered by four RL10C-3 engines that produce almost four times more thrust than the one RL10B-2 engine that powers the ICPS. This 97,000 lbs. of thrust will allow more than 38 t (83,700 lbs.) for Block 1B crew and more than 42 t (92,500 lbs.) for Block 1B cargo to be sent to the Moon. With the EUS, NASA can use a Block 1B crew configuration to …
The SLS Team
- SLS is America’s rocket with more than 1,100 companies from across the U.S. and at every NASA center supporting the development of the world’s most powerful rocket. The SLS Program, managed by Marshall, works closely with the Orion Program, managed by NASA’s Johnson Space Center, and the Exploration Ground Systems Program, managed at Kennedy. All three pr…