If you’re an avid label-reader, then SLS is no stranger to you. Commonly found in body wash, shampoo, and face cleansers, it’s main ingredient in many cleansing products. What but exactly is SLS, what does it do, and why is there so much controversy surrounding its use? Let’s dive in.
What is SLS?
            SLS stands for Sodium Lauryl Sulfates. these are very good as cleaners, that’s why you can find them in dish washer soaps, house cleaning products etc, and they can mix water and oil together, that’s why you can find them in skincare.
What’s wrong with SLS?
            If you’ve been keeping up with skincare trends, you’d notice that many businesses are now advertising “Sulphate Free” products. But why are SLS being shunned as toxic ingredients? There are two facets to this answer: the usage of sulphates and the manufacturing process of sulphates.
As mentioned earlier, sulphates are incredibly powerful at cleaning surfaces. While this is convenient when washing dishes, it’s much less advantageous when it comes to cleansing your skin. SLS are aggressive substances, stripping your skin of its natural oils. This results in broken skin barriers – which is the leading cause of most sensitive skin issues. Furthermore, stripping your scalp of its natural oils leaves your hair dry, dull, and brittle. (How to make your own natural cleaning products?)
SLS is derived from petroleum. Petroleum, asides from containing toxic substances such as benzene, is non-renewable and thus, not a sustainable resource. Workers who manufacture SLS are often exposed to these harmful substances and are at high risk of suffering from chronic health effects. This means that every time you buy a product containing SLS, you contribute to an unsustainable supply chain.
SLES is coconut oil-derived and sometimes viewed as a gentler alternative of SLS. However, both share a similarly unsustainable manufacturing process. SLES is produced using ethylene oxide, a highly toxic gas which can cause respiratory irritation, headaches, nausea, cancer, mutagenic changes, and a host of other detrimental impacts.
The danger arises when almost every single product you apply on your skin and hair contains these ingredients – and because they are so common in modern skincare/soaps, consumers are likely exposed to it multiple times every day. This can easily trigger or worsen sensitive skin conditions, hence the urgency for consumers to move away from SLS-containing products.
Yes, reading through labels and actively choosing your skincare and haircare products is inconvenient. It’s way easier to pick up any bottle of SLS-containing shampoo or face cleanser you see on the shelf, but the long-term exposure to these substances can have devastating effects. As consumers, we need to widen our perspective and consider the impact these ingredients have on the supply chain, the environment, and even ourselves.
Choose your health! choose natural
Need an advice? or just a super relaxing time? You are welcome to visit me at Pure Natural Salon!