SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate)
Benefits
- Deep-cleansing
- Produces abundant lather
- Dissolves oils
Category
- Surfactants
- Cleansing ingredients
INCI name
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
SLS at a glance
- An extremely effective and common cleansing ingredient in hygiene products
- Produces very abundant, thick and satisfying foam
- Has a small molecular size that can penetrate and irritate sensitive skin
- Often extracted from coconut or palm oil but undergoes a chemical process (sulfation)
SLS description
SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) is one of the best-known and most effective surfactants in the cosmetics world. It is a surface-active ingredient whose primary purpose is to lower the surface tension of water, allowing dirt, oil and sebum to be effectively lifted from the skin and hair and rinsed away. The ingredient is very popular in commercial shampoos, shower creams and toothpastes thanks to its unparalleled ability to create a rich and stable lather.
Despite its effectiveness, SLS has become controversial in skincare circles. Because its molecules are relatively small, they can penetrate deeper into the outermost layers of the skin. At high concentrations or with prolonged contact, SLS can strip away the skin's natural oils, which may lead to dryness, irritation and a weakened skin barrier. It is therefore an ingredient best suited to products that are rinsed off quickly, or to formulas intended for people who do not have sensitive or dry skin.