Is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate in my Shampoo Toxic or Dangerous?

A simple explanation of the chemical is that it has a fatty acid chain on one end of the molecule, attached to a long carbon chain that makes up a salt on the other end of the molecule.

The fatty acid end will pick up fats, such as oils in hair, while the salt end will dissolve in water. This helps wash away dirt saturated oils, when you rinse shampoo out of your hair or soap off of your hands.

It is quite a nifty and effective chemical. It is abundant enough, and is easily and cheaply attained, which is why it has become so ubiquitous in all types of cleaners and soaps.

This chemical’s ability to remove oils so easily is also why it is found in laundry and dish soaps, as well as in industrial strength cleaning supplies used in places like an auto repair shop.

It is worth noting that just because this same chemical is also used in harsher cleaners, they are by no means used in the same concentration. The chemical is found in a far more diluted form in domestic products.

 A critique of sodium lauryl sulfate in domestic products is that it strips your hair or skin of natural oils, which can leave it very dry. This brings about the need for conditioners and lotions that then replace natural oils with synthetic oils.

While this critique is worth bearing for persons concerned with natural, or organic health and beauty care, it does not mean washing with a soap containing sodium lauryl sulfate is hazardous to your health. And similarly, many of the completely natural products can be equally drying.

Sodium lauryl sulfate and related chemicals have been shown through clinical trials to be non-toxic, and are not carcinogenic (or cancer causing).

So, if you’ve been reading up on SLS, and similar chemicals, and you’ve been told you are pouring toxins all over your skin and hair, clinical trials show that statement to be totally incorrect.

Sodium laureth sulfate is generally not considered to be any more or less dangerous than sodium lauryl sulfate by itself, but SLES can become contaminated with dioxane, which is a known carcinogen. Reports have shown that low levels of dioxane can be traced in domestic products containing sodium laureth sulfate (SLES).

It would not be a waste of time to avoid products containing sodium laureth sulfate.

My face soap is hand-made, because I have a lot of problems with acne. So, it doesn’t contain any of these chemicals.  But, my hand soap is whatever is on sale at the drug store around the corner.

Personally, most shampoos make my head itch, and cause dandruff. I found significant improvement after switching to a shampoo that does not contain sodium lauryl sulfate.

It turns out sodium-coco sulfates do not cause itching problems for me, so products containing this form of the chemical work just fine for me. The shampoo I prefer is the ‘Say Yes to Carrots,’ which contains sodium-coco sulfate. I also prefer this shampoo because it is cruelty and paraben free.

There is an ever-growing market for those with similar sensitivity issues, or those who simply want to go a more all-natural rout.

With the advent of using natural, organic health and beauty products quickly approaching a mainstream norm, there many new product lines such as Bert’s Bees, or Alba, as well as long standing products such as the very popular Dr. Bronner’s Magic soaps, frequently showing up in many chain stores.

All of these products are free of man-made chemicals. But, the more natural products do tend to be significantly more expensive than a typical product found in a drug store, or grocery store aisle.

In the end, if your favorite shampoo, mouthwash, or other soaps and hygiene products contains SLS, but has never caused problems with severe dryness or irritation, then there is no pressing health problem. You are safe to keep using it. It isn’t going to kill you.