Sodium Lauryl Sulfate - Should it be avoided?
Sodium lauryl sulfate is the victim of an urban myth similar to the one that haunts parabens. It is accused of causing cancer. This is false. However, there may be other reasons to avoid sodium lauryl sulfate and even its gentler sister, sodium laureth sulfate.
First of all what is it? Sodium lauryl sulfate is a detergent. As well as cleansing, it makes foam. Hence, it is frequently used as the base for shampoos, soaps and toothpaste.
Although studies specifically cleared sodium lauryl sulfate of being carcinogenic, it has been established that it can cause severe epidermal changes to the area where it is applied that, theoretically, could increase the chances of cancer.
If you have the suspicion that washing your face is making your skin dry, or that shampooing is giving you an itchy scalp or making your eyes sting, or that cleaning your teeth is giving you mouth ulcers, sodium lauryl sulfate is the likely culprit. In studies, there are "significant correlations" (in the words of one) between SLS and contact dermatitis. The Journal of the American College of Toxicology says that it has "a degenerative effect on the cell membranes because of its protein denaturing properties". The Journal adds that "high levels of skin penetration may occur at even low use concentration.
Worryingly, tests on young animals showed permanent eye damage - even when the SLS was applied to areas other than the eye. No wonder shampooing can sting the eyes. In fact, SLS (which is an anionic detergent) is frequently combined with cocamide MEA and DEA (inonics) that are believed to anesthetize the eyeball so that you are less likely to be aware of the harm the lauryl sulfate is doing. What's more, cocamide DEA is pretty awful as well. Ironically, it has been definitively linked to cancer.
Laureth sulfate is less likely to cause these side-effects because it doesn't denaturate (change the structure) of proteins, unlike lauryl. Nevertheless, in Germany, a product cannot be labeled 'natural' if it contains any members of the sulfate family (lauryl, laureth, or ammonium).
The cosmetic trade industry associatio, the CIR, says that sulfates "appear to be safe in formulations designed for discontinous, brief use followed by thorough rinsing from the surface of the skin." Call me picky, but having to remove a product as quickly and thoroughly as possible because otherwise it is hazardous, does not endear me to it.
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Great article, Marta! Thank you!
I'm really enjoying your site. It's a refreshing treat in a blogshere of shameless product plugs and cluttered sites! : )
Melissa
www.allingoodface.com
Posted on August 29, 2008 at 10:35 am
Thank you Melissa. I took a look at All In Good Face would say 'right back at ya'. I'm adding your site to my blog roll.
Posted on August 29, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Thank you so much, Marta! What an honor! We will also link to you from our site.
Be well.
Melissa
Posted on August 31, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Marta,
This post is slightly disheartening. Not that I am an alarmist, but I think you have made some good points to make us reconsider our products.
Are there any soaps or toothpastes that you could recommend or provide a link to?
Posted on September 2, 2008 at 8:33 am
There is a fine line between alarmist and facing facts. Hopefully we stay on the right side.
Weleda has a great range of toothpastes. All natural and surprisingly good at whitening!
http://www.weleda.com
Posted on September 2, 2008 at 9:08 am
I had eczema on my hands for years. Dermatologist said that I would probably have it forever and that it would flair up in times of stress. I tried numerous lotions, as well as prescription creams that didn't work. Then somebody alerted me to the "evils" of SLS. I stopped using products that contained SLS and my eczema went away. I still get small flair-ups when I'm travelling and not being vigilant about the products I use.
Posted on October 13, 2008 at 5:40 am
Do you have links for the Journal article? I've been trying like crazy to find it and haven't had any luck finding the link.
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 10:16 am
Danika, I am not sure that the Journal can be accessed without paying. But it might help you to know that it is Volume 2 #7, 1983
Posted on January 28, 2011 at 12:47 pm
I really do enjoy this site...I can read a lot of articles that helps me clear out things about certain products.
How about feminine wash,which contains sodium laureth sulfate...are there any side effects? Thank you
Posted on February 8, 2011 at 4:54 pm
Hi Adel, sodium laureth sulfate can be an irritant, so best to avoid products with it.
Posted on February 9, 2011 at 5:48 am
People wanting to be "green" are so funny. Oh, it's natural, it must be good. Sure, try eating rhubarb leaves or cyanide. Both are "natural", green and renewable but you won't last long.
Posted on May 28, 2011 at 1:53 pm
hey cz
what does eating cyanide have to do with choosing natural products? Its a non-sequitur---just because I don't want to rub a potentially carcinogenic product on my skin or eat pesticide laden foods, doesn't mean I want to eat nightshade because its natural. Your logic is strange and warped.
Posted on April 6, 2012 at 4:29 am