Quick Answer: Is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate Man Made?

Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), also known as sodium laurilsulfate or sodium dodecyl sulfate, is an anionic surfactant commonly used as an emulsifying cleaning agent in household cleaning products (laundry detergents, spray cleaners, and dishwasher detergents). SLS can be synthetic or naturally derived.

Is sodium laureth sulfate man made?

It’s a contraction for “lauryl ether” in its more formal name, sodium lauryl ether sulfate, or SLES. SLES is the most common of a group of commercial sodium and ammonium alkyl and alkyl ether sulfates. It is an inexpensive surfactant that foams easily and is an excellent detergent. It’s essentially a synthetic soap.

Is sodium lauryl sulfate a natural ingredient?

What is SLS? A common ingredient used in “natural” beauty products, sodium laureth/lauryl sulfate (SLES/SLS) is a surfactant derived from coconut oil. It is considered “natural” ingredient by some personal care product manufacturers because of this derivation. It creates a suds.

Is sodium lauryl sulfate natural or synthetic?

#1: What is sodium lauryl sulfate and what does it do? Sodium lauryl sulfate is a synthetic soap, or surfactant, that can be made from coconut oil, palm kernel oil or petroleum. It creates a foamy lather as it cleans, and is very effective in removing oil and dirt from clothes and surfaces.

Can sodium lauryl sulfate be plant based?

SLS is a synthetic chemical derived from petroleum or vegetable-based sourced (like coconut or palm oil). Some SLS is 100% plant-derived.

Why is sodium laureth sulfate bad?

Why is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate so bad? SLS strips the skin of its natural oils which causes dry skin, irritation and allergic reactions. It can also be very irritating to the eyes. Inflammatory skin reactions include itchy skin and scalp, eczema and dermatitis.

Which is worse sodium laureth sulfate or Sodium Lauryl Sulfate?

This process means SLES is safe to use in bath and body care products and is gentler on skin than its predecessor, SLS. Unlike SLS, Sodium Laureth Sulfate won’t aggravate your skin or strip it of any excess moisture.

Is sodium lauryl sulfate harmful to humans?

Health: SLS and SLES can irritate eyes, skin, and lungs, especially with long-term use. SLES may also be contaminated with a substance called 1,4-dioxane, which is known to cause cancer in laboratory animals. This contamination occurs during the manufacturing process.

Is sodium lauryl sulfate banned in Europe?

Both SLS and SLES are banned by the European Union, but not by the U.S. Coconut oil and soap bark are two common natural surfactants.

Is SLS made from palm oil?

Sodium lauryl sulfate can be made from petroleum oil (via the OXO process) or from coconut or palm oil (via the Ziegler process). In both processes, fatty acids are extracted and converted to fatty alcohols, then sulfonated to become a crystalline salt.

What shampoo has no Sodium Lauryl Sulfate?

The Best Shampoos Without Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

• Aveda Smooth Infusion Shampoo.
• David Babaii for Wildaid Amplifying Shampoo.
• Avalon Organics Revitalizing Peppermint Shampoo.
• L’Oreall Ever Pure Hydrate Shampoo.

Is sodium sulfate the same as SLS?

SLS stands for Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, also known as SDS, Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate. SLES stands for Sodium Laureth Sulfate, sometimes written as Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate.

Is naturally derived SLS safe?

The researchers concluded that SLS “ appears to be safe in formulations designed for discontinuous, brief use followed by thorough rinsing from the surface of the skin. In products intended for prolonged contact with skin, concentrations should not exceed 1 percent.”

What is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate made from?

Sodium lauryl sulfate may be derived from either petroleum based or vegetable based sources. The SLS Tom’s of Maine uses is entirely derived from the vegetable sources of coconut and/or palm kernel oil. The oils can be split into glycerin and the component fatty acids, one of which is lauric acid.

Does sodium laureth sulfate cause baldness?

So while Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Laureth Sulfate are not directly linked to hair loss, if your shampoo contains high amounts of these sulfates, it can not only damage in the proteins in your hair which increases the likelihood of hair breakage but it can also irritate your skin, causing you to lose even more hair.

Is coconut derived sulfate safe?

The verdict. We know it’s a synthetic ingredient that’s used in self-care cleaning products, working similarly to (and even containing) sodium lauryl sulfate. However, its use as a substitute to SLS may still cause skin irritations – so for those with skin hypersensitivities, you should err on the side of caution.