Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is a surfactant that is used in many personal care and cleaning products, as well as in some foods. It is an anionic surfactant that is derived from coconut and/or palm kernel oil. SLS is a cleansing agent that is known for being very effective at removing dirt and oil, but it can also be potentially irritating to the skin. However, the safety assessment study of SLS published in 1983 in the International Journal of Toxicology found that it is not harmful if used briefly and rinsed from the skin, as with shampoos and soaps.
Here are some positive and negative aspects of SLS:
Positive:
- SLS can produce copious, creamy, and luxurious foam compared to the more gentle and thus nowadays much more commonly used Sodium Laureth Sulfate.
- SLS is an effective cleansing agent that can remove dirt and oil from the skin and hair.
Negative:
- SLS can be potentially irritating to the skin, especially for people with sensitive skin.
- SLS can be found in both beauty and cleaning products, and there are concerns about its safety when used in products that stay on the skin longer than shampoos and soaps.
- SLS can be found in household cleaners, and small amounts of SLS residues from cleaning products may remain on food contact surfaces in public eating places, dairy-processing equipment, and food-processing equipment and utensils.
Regarding its use in cosmetics and body products, the safety assessment study of SLS found that products that stay on the skin longer than shampoos and soaps shouldnt exceed 1 percent concentration of SLS. Product labels must state that SLS is in the mix, and only so much of it is allowed to be in any given product, though the amount may vary by country. If you have very sensitive skin and are prone to rashes, you might want to stay away from sodium lauryl sulfate.
