Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is a surfactant — a substance that helps products like shampoos, body washes, and facial cleansers to foam, lather, and remove oils and dirt from the skin and hair.
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Common Uses:
Shampoos
Toothpastes
Body washes
Facial cleansers
Bubble baths
✅ Safety Overview:
Approved by:
U.S. FDA (Food and Drug Administration)
EU Cosmetics Regulation
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
Common Concentration:
Typically used at <2% in rinse-off products (like shampoo or face wash)
Up to 10–30% in industrial or specialty use, which can cause irritation
⚠️ Potential Issues:
Skin & Eye Irritation:
SLS can irritate skin, especially at high concentrations or with prolonged contact.
More likely to cause dryness or itching in people with sensitive skin, eczema, or rosacea.
Misconceptions:
SLS is not proven to be carcinogenic (i.e., it doesn’t cause cancer).
Many online claims are misleading or based on confusion with industrial-grade SLS.
✅ When Is It Safe?
In shampoos, soaps, and cleansers that are rinsed off within minutes
When used in low concentrations (under 1–2%)
On normal, non-sensitive skin
https://cosmeticgyaan.com/what-is-capb-and-uses-in-cosmetics/
Alternatives:
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES): Milder than SLS
Cocamidopropyl Betaine: Gentle surfactant often used in baby shampoos
Sulfate-free products: Increasingly popular for sensitive skin and curly hair types