The Mystery of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate.
02.22.10
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is a chemical used in soaps, shampoos, conditioners, bubble bath and body washes to create suds. At least 90% of non-organic shampoos and conditioners contain sodium lauryl sulfate. So what is it and why should you know about it?
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is a chemical. For a lot of you that is reason to avoid it. But, for those who want to know here are the rest of the details. SLS is used to to break down oil and grease, and make suds. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate started its career as an industrial degreasant & garage floor cleaner. When applied to human skin it has the effect of stripping off the oil layer & the irritating & erroding the skin.
From the research I have found SLS is not linked to cancer however, it does have some other side effects you may choose to avoid. It can cause eye irritations, skin rashes, hair loss, dandruff, cause allergic reactions & can lead to blindness or cataracts. It can also change genetic information & damage the immune system. It is listed as a high human health priority and is expected to be found to be harmful or toxic, according to the Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List, in relation to non-reproductive organ system toxicity.
A study at the University of Georgia Medical College, indicated that SLS penetrated into the eyes as well as brain, heart, liver, etc., and showed long-term retention in the tissues. The study also indicated that SLS penetrated young children’s eyes and prevented them from developing properly and caused cataracts to develop in adults.
When we first discussed this chemical we were divided as to whether or not to allow it. It was our final decision that there are many fantastic products out there that do not include so why take the risk by allowing products on the site that do.
It is a cheap ingredient to use but our stance is that cheap in the short term often does not equate to cheap in the long term. One of the arguments in support of SLS is that it is not really a skin irritant if it is only left on your skin for a short period of time. I was unable to find out what “short period of time” equates to. However, I can’t help but think if a child is taking a bubble bath using a product that contains SLS, or shampoo that then washes into their bath and they sit in it, well that may be longer than a “short period of time”. Why should I worry how long is long and how short is short?
Therefore, at Franklin Goose we do not carry products with Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. We prefer to use products and offer you products with no questionable ingredients. You may have to forgo a few suds but we think it is worth it.
How do you feel about Sodium Lauryl Sulfate? Do you avoid products with it or find it is not a very big concern of yours?
One comment



