A Detailed Look at the Notorious Ingredients SLS and SLES

Research of sodium lauryl sulfate being cancerous is still inconclusive. What is conclusive about the SLS and SLES ingredients is the proven highly irritating effects on the skin and the eyes. In fact, it is often used in clinical testing to irritate skin in humans and animals(we are completely against) so that researchers can then test their healing agents effectiveness on the irritated skin.

If you have sensitive skin or are looking for products for children, then you may want to avoid products containing SLS or SLES.

If you are concerned with using products that use the SLS & SLES ingredient, then this article is a must read. The following will take you through the fine details of this notorious skin care ingredient.

What is SLS (Sodium lauryl sulfate) and SLES (Sodium Laureth Sulfate)?

SLS was originally (and still is) used as a garage floor cleaner, car wash chemical and a de-greaser. SLES is the alcohol form (ethoxylated) of SLS. It is slightly less irritating but may cause more drying.

Nowadays, SLS and SLES are foaming agents commonly used in personal care products such as shampoos, cleansers, body washes, soaps and toothpaste to produce that lather that many of us equate with being ‘clean’. It works as a surfactant and act like detergents and emulsifiers to remove oil and dirt from your skin. It is widely used by many mainstream skin care companies and well known brands as it is relatively inexpensive, it makes a great cleanser and work very well.

A small amount generates a large amount of foam, and when salt is added it thickens to give the illusion of being thick and concentrated.

Is SLS and SLES a Carcinogen?

You have probably read many reports that claim sodium lauryl sulfate is a carcinogen and should be avoided. Is it really dangerous? Is it safe? All is all this commotion just a myth?

To firstly put your mind at ease, the American Cancer Society definitively maintains that there is no link between SLS and cancer.

Reports from research are 50 / 50.

Some research seems to suggest that sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate are not carcinogens but just highly irritating. SLS is formed by combining sulfate and lauric acid, two compounds readily found in nature.

The claim that SLS can cause cancer originated in the 1970s when some shampoos were found to be contaminated with small amounts of nitrosamines, which are carcinogenic. It was determined that ethanolamine lauryl sulfates (and not sodium lauryl sulfate) was the responsible agent. Manufacturers addressed this by discontinuing the use of this ingredient. However, both SLS and SLES may also be contaminated with 1,4 dioxane, which is a probable carcinogen. The FDA encourages manufacturers to remove 1,4 dioxane from SLS but it isn’t required by Federal law. Because it isn’t legislated, it’s difficult to know whether the SLS in your personal care product does or doesn’t contain 1,4 dioxane.

Other research has proven SLS to cause cancer in rats when an excessively high concentration of SLS was soaked into a gauze pad and applied to shaved areas of the rats body. Studies indicate that SLS is systemic, and can penetrate and be retrained in the eye, brain, heart, liver etc., with potentially harmful long term effects.

Should I switch to a organic skin care product or continue using products with SLS?

As mentioned above, there are currently no concrete evidence suggesting SLS being the cause of cancer. But if you may want to avoid the risk of contact with a probable carcinogen, then seek out products that claim to be 1,4 dioxane free or SLS/SLES free.

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