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So, you’re checking ingredients. You know parabens are to be avoided. What else is on the hit list? Sodium Lauryl Sulfate often referred to as SLS.
What is the deal with Sodium Lauryl Sulfate?
Why is it in our products anyway?
We, consumers, have come to expect many of our cleansers and cleansing products to “foam up” and that is one of the main functions of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate. They also break down grease. Both ingredients are used across a broad spectrum of products: shampoo, body wash, facial cleansers and dish soap to name a few. In high concentrations it is used in industrial products to clean engines, floors and cars. Nice.
What makes this ingredient so appealing to the companies that use it?
It’s cheap.
What makes it nasty?
Well, it has been linked to a wide spectrum of issues from serious skin irritation to possible cancer.
Seriously? What is the science?
Sodium Laureth Sulfate is an ethoxylated compound. This means that when it’s created, it’s processed with ethylene oxide, a known carcinogen. Traces of ethylene oxide and 1,4-Dioxane (another known carcinogen) can remain in the product. In fact, it is this process that is the culprit for creating a host of other toxic ingredients from polyethylene glycol (also known as PEG) to anything with an “eth” (such as sodium myreth sulfate).
Of course, there is the camp that supports SLS and its relatives claiming that the amount found in products is well within the safe amounts laid out by governing bodies. Again, my take on it is that it’s a matter of accumulation. As well, compounds like sodium lauryl sulfate and propylene glycol are penetration enhancers which break down the protective barrier of skin, making the risk of these ingredients staying in the body even higher.
If you are interested in a deeper understanding of the science behind it all here are some excellent resources. I reference them often:
- Bubble & Bee: Chemicals to Avoid
- Cosmetic Database: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
- Cosmetic Database: Sodium Laureth Sulfate
The bottom line
Products that are labeled SLS and SLES-free are the way to go, in my mind.
Be beautiful. Feel good about it.
I know. It can be confusing – daunting even – trying to keep track of what you should avoid in products and why. Parabens are quickly becoming the first, top-of-mind ingredient to avoid for consumers and a hot topic for those in the industry.
So what exactly is the deal with parabens anyway?
A little history…
Synthetic parabens were inspired by the compound Parahydroxy benzoic acid (literally Parahydroxy benzoic acid). Their purpose is preservative. Preservatives are integral to cosmetic products of all types as they prevent the growth of bacteria in our lotions, creams and gels. The cosmetic industry fell in love with parabens at first sight because they are cheap and easy to formulate.
What makes parabens nasty…
There have been numerous studies that indicate that parabens are estrogen mimickers. It has been proven that an excess of estrogen in the body can lead to cancer, most notably breast and uterine. It has also been proven that parabens act like estrogen and accumulate in the body. Some studies have shown parabens in breast cancer tissue. The nutshell assumption being they can cause cancer.
Now the paraben supporters decry two main counterpoints:
- that the body breaks down the parabens quickly and therefore the risk of accumulation is low and;
- that the amount of parabens within products is very small and therefore extremely safe and they pose no risks.
Governing bodies all over the world have parabens under review. However, there is definitely a voice that says the hoopla over parabens is pointless.
Parabens are in dozens and dozens of everyday products (shampoo, conditioner, body wash, soap, makeup, moisturizer, mascara, shaving cream, deodorant – I could go on and on). My thought is avoid them when you can. Happily, this is becoming easier as companies create or adjust their formulas to be paraben free; and that the product performance of numerous paraben free products is top-notch.
My take on it…
To my mind it is like sodium in our diet. While it’s true that a little bit of salt is not a big deal, there is high levels of sodium found in prepared foods, canned sauces, vegetables, beans and so on. It is added to canned fish, deli meats, cereals, crackers, cookies – not to mention the amount you ingest when you order take-out or go to a restaurant. So the sodium quickly accumulates and before you can say “hardened arteries” you have surpassed the safe amount.
I feel the same is true for parabens. Ergo – they are to be avoided.
If you would like to dig more into the chemical structure and impact of parabens here are some excellent sources:
So you can’t say I didn’t give the other side its due:
Be beautiful. Feel good about it.
Mother’s Day is this Sunday – this Sunday! I only realized this recently. I have a new perspective on Mother’s Day now that I am one.
We get bombarded with messages about how to pamper mothers this time of year. What does it mean to pamper someone anyway? My idea of a pampering on Mother’s Day would include the following:
- Sleeping in – not even that late, just a little bit
- Coffee in bed – love that
- Not making any decisions
This final point is key. Pampering to me is not having to make any decisions. Having someone else decide what we are doing that day, what we are having for dinner, etc. is my idea of heaven on earth. I don’t need a lot, just turning my mental energy down to even 60% is a beautiful thing.
Of course – gifts are always nice too (here comes the shameless self promotion).
I love this gift set from Tashodi. I think it has Mother-In-Law written all over it. Tashodi’s products are superb and packaging them in a bamboo steamer you can use later is brilliant.
Whatever you do for the moms in your life this Sunday – be kind, show her some love and ask her how she would like to spend Mother’s Day this year.
Be beautiful. Feel good about it.
Green Beauty 
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