Description

Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS)

Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) is a synthetic detergent and surfactant. Surfactant means it makes bubbles. It’s used in a wide range of personal care products such as soaps, shampoos and toothpastes. SLS is also an ingredient in industrial products such as car wash soaps, engine degreasers and floor cleaners.

Use of Sodium Lauryl Sulphate

SLS is added to soaps and bubble baths for its ability to create a lather. It’s widely used because it’s a cheap, highly effective cleansing and foaming agent.

Why is there worry about sodium lauryl sulphate?

Exposure to a lot of SLS can irritate skin, causing inflammation (dermatitis). This may produce symptoms such as dryness, coarseness and redness of the skin. 
However, skin irritation from SLS is most likely to happen after contact with products that are used for industrial purposes. These often use high levels of SLS. There are much lower levels of SLS in skincare products.
There are several rumours circulating online and via chain email, linking SLS with cancer. These are often reported as if they were facts. However, these rumours are unfounded.

Health Concerns about sodium lauryl sulphate

We do know that SLS has not been shown to cause cancer. However, like most detergents, it can irritate the skin. The amount of irritation caused by SLS increases:

• the longer it’s left on the skin
• the more concentrated it is in a product
• the more often it’s used

While we know that high levels of SLS can irritate the skin, actual percentages are not routinely listed on ingredients labels. It’s difficult to know how much SLS is in a product. 

Some data has been released by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association. This indicates that the percentage of SLS in household and personal products could range from 0.01 per cent to 50 per cent. Only two baby shampoos containing SLS were listed and these had a percentage of less than five per cent.

Is sodium lauryl sulphate regulated?

Because there’s no evidence that SLS can cause any serious health problems, the European Commission’s advisory committee has not looked into its safety. 

In the US, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) assesses ingredients for safety. In 2002, they upheld a previous assessment that SLS appears to be safe in skincare products that are applied briefly to the skin and then rinsed off.

Concerns about sodium lauryl sulphate

Despite the rumours you may have heard, there is no evidence that SLS causes cancer. Although SLS is an irritant, detergents are not usually left on the skin for a long time before they are rinsed off. However, your baby’s delicate skin may be more sensitive to soaps and detergents than adult skin.

Try to avoid products containing irritants such as SLS if your child has eczema or sensitive skin. The National Eczema Society recommends emollient soap-substitutes. These can be prescribed by your GP or you can buy them over the counter at most chemists. They don’t foam, but are just as good at cleaning your baby’s skin. 

However, one particular type of emollient, aqueous cream, often contains SLS. This should also be avoided if your baby has eczema, as it’s been found to make eczema worse, especially as it tends to be left on the skin for a long time.

The above information is for general research purposes only and is not a representation or warranty of any kind. This material is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The user of this material is solely responsible for determining fitness for any particular use; requesting and reviewing the applicable Material Safety Data Sheet; and compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Terms and conditions apply.