What is Sodium Laureth Sulfate and How to Avoid it in Your Personal Care and Cleaning Products
What is Sodium Laureth Sulfate?
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is a surfactant commonly found in personal care and cleaning products. It is used to create a lather, which makes it popular in products such as dish soap, detergent, shampoos, body washes, and toothpaste. However, SLES is also a known irritant and carcinogen which can cause skin and eye irritation in some people. It is also a potential environmental toxin, as it can accumulate in aquatic environments and harm wildlife after it is washed down the drain.
How to Avoid SLES
To avoid products that contain SLES, it is important to read product labels carefully. Look for any of the following ingredients: alpha-sulfo-omega-(dodecyloxy) poly (oxy-1,2-ethanediyl); dodecyl sodium sulfate, sodium salt; PEG-(1,4) lauryl ether sulfate, sodium salt; poly (oxy-1,2-ethanediyl); sodium polyoxyethylene lauryl sulfate; .alpha.-sulfo-.omega.-9dodecyloxy)-, sodium salt; poly (oxy-1,2 ethanediyl), A-sulfo-W (dodecyloxy)-, sodium salt; poly (oxy1,2ethanediyl); polyethylene glycol (1,4) lauryl ether sulfate, sodium salt; polyoxyethylene (1,4) lauryl ether sulfate, sodium salt; sodium PEG lauryl ether sulfate; sodium polyoxyethylene lauryl ether sulfate [1].
In cleaning products, where manufacturers aren’t required to list all their ingredients on product labels, choose toxic chemical-free cleaners with safe natural ingredients. However, it’s important to remember that there are no federal criteria dictating standards for what makes something a “natural” cleaner, so several “natural” cleaners may still contain this toxic chemical.
In personal care and cosmetic products, do your own research on a product’s ingredients. Use a resource such as the list below to learn more about SLES.
Alternatives to SLES
There are many alternatives to SLES that are less irritating and less harmful to the environment. Some common alternatives include Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, and Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate. These ingredients are gentler on the skin and are biodegradable, meaning they break down quickly in the environment and don’t accumulate in aquatic ecosystems.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate is a common ingredient in personal care and cleaning products, but it can cause skin and eye irritation and harm the environment. To avoid products that contain SLES, read product labels carefully and do your own research on a product’s ingredients. Look for products that are labeled as SLES-free or sulfate-free and opt for products that use gentler, biodegradable alternatives to SLES.
Some Handy Research Studies and General Reading for your Pleasure:
National Library of Medicine: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/23665884
Doctor Eric Berg: Is Sodium Laureth Sulfate Safe? NO! https://youtu.be/ohwSf6Fi0rs
Healthy Child Healthy World (2013). Skip the Products Made with SLES (and SLS, Too!) https://www.healthychild.org/easy-steps/skip-products-made-with-sles-and-sls-too/
Women’s Voices for the Earth https://womensvoices.org/avoid-toxic-chemicals/15-toxic-trespassers/
University of Queensland Australia https://medicine.uq.edu.au/article/2019/12/what-sodium-lauryl-sulfate-and-it-safe-use
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