What is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)?
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is a chemical surfactant found in various skin care, hair care, and personal care products. Its appearance is that of a white powder and it is created by reacting lauryl alcohol with sulfur trioxide to produce hydrogen lauryl sulfate, which is then neutralized with sodium carbonate to produce SLS.
Why is SLS Used in Products?
As a surfactant, SLS assists in lifting oils and other substances off a surface in order to achieve a deeper clean. SLS is also a foaming agent, giving consumers the impression they are getting a deeper clean compared to equally effective surfactants that have lesser foaming qualities. Manufacturers of consumer products tend to use SLS as a surfactant due to its inexpensive production costs.
Who Should Avoid SLS, and Why?
Our recommendation is for those with sensitive skin to avoid SLS. Here's why:
- Weakening of the skin's protective layer – The ingredient is highly effective as a surfactant, which, while good for foaming properties, can strip the skin of its natural oils. When skin is stripped of its natural oils, this skin loses moisture and is more likely to break open. Skin infections due to bacteria may then ensue.
- High rate of skin irritation – SLS is known to be a more troublesome surfactant and its effects are known to those with sensitive skin in the forms of skin redness, itchiness, peeling, inflammation, and soreness. The ingredient is even more offensive to those with a skin condition such as eczema, rosacea, or psoriasis. Even if the impact of SLS isn't seen immediately, consistent use over time can eventually lead to irritation.
- Significant contributor to skin dryout – Due to this sulfate's common impact of stripping skin of its natural oil, many people who use SLS-based products experience excessively dry skin. Even humectants and emollients—types of ingredients that attract and retain moisture—have a difficult time offsetting the impacts of SLS.
Other Things to Note
- The drying effect of SLS can also be seen in hair, which is why some consumers prefer "sulfate-free" shampoos.
- Although closely related, Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) are not the same ingredient. Both act as surfactants in cosmetics but are chemically unique.
What to Use Instead of SLS?
FreeMind uses both Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate and Cocamidopropyl Betaine as surfactants in our hand soaps (learn more about our ingredients here). While it may sound intimidating, C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is a much milder surfactant than SLS, leading to better outcomes for consumers with sensitive skin. Cocamidopropyl Betaine, the secondary surfactant in our soap, is derived from coconut oil and has the additional benefit of conditioning properties.
Conclusion on SLS
SLS is a chemical surfactant found in various skin care, hair care, and personal care products. Compared to other surfactants, SLS is very harsh on the skin and may weaken the protective layer of the skin while causing skin issues such as redness, itchiness, peeling, inflammation, and soreness. There are many effective surfactant alternatives to SLS, and thus consumers (especially those with sensitive skin) should feel confident about making this switch.
