Sodium Lauryl Sulfate?

by Nica
(New York, New York, US)

I've heard so much talk about Sodium Lauryl Sulfate! I'v looked at most of my skin care products and even my shampoo and toothpaste contains SLS! I've now changed my products but there not very effective! I want to go back but I don't want to harm myself! Can you tell me why SLS is dangerous?

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Our reply

Hi Nica, thanks for your message. Yes, I really can relate to your concerns! That is actually how I came to create this site, as I was so frustrated in trying to find safe skin care products that actually would work. Most of the safer and gentler products I tried did not work at all!

I was shocked to discover that my nice, natural toothpastes, shampoos and even natural laundry detergents contained Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. The more I researched, the more upset I became. I realized that I never questioned the safety of my skin care or personal care products, and yet many of these ingredients are quite irritating to our bodies, and to our environment.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, is a foaming agent used in many shampoos, toothpastes, laundry detergents and other personal care products. A similar chemical, Sodium Laureth Sulfate is also used in the same way. SLS is also used as a pesticide and a fungicide, which means that it is sprayed on foods to kill insects and fungus.


The reason that I recommend in our Safe Cosmetics Guide that people with sensitive skin avoid these ingredients is because research strongly suggests that they may cause skin irritation, eye and lung irritation and other health effects.

For example, some people get canker sores from using toothpastes with SLS, or dermatitis after wearing clothes washed in detergents containing SLS.

These kinds of skin irritation are definitely not something that people with sensitive skin need to endure when there are so many safer options out there that do not cause the same types of irritating effects in the body.

You can see the Materials and Data sheet on SLS which has more detailed information on it's health effects.

There is also some information on this chemical here at the Pesticide Action Network Database on Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

You can also find a summary of some research gathered by the CosmeticsDatabase.com on Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate.

I know it is difficult to find safer skin care and personal care options. I've been gathering together those products that I personally have found to work well here at our Safe Skin Care Products page. I hope this is helpful for you!