Articles
Sodium Laureth Sulfates Sodium Lauryl Sulfates
Commonly used in most soap, shampoos, detergents, toothpastes and other products that we expect to "foam up". Both chemicals are foaming agents, known as surfactants.
The use of sodium laureth sulfate in childrens products is particularly worrying. It is known that, whether it gets in the eyes or not, skin application DOES lead to measurable concentrations in the eyes of children. This is known to affect eye development, and the damage caused in this manner is irreversible. If you have children DO NOT USE products containing sodium laureth sulfate or SLS - they will thank you for it one day.
According to the American College of Toxicology, "tests show permanent eye damage in young animals from skin contact in non-eye areas".
In other words, because SLS is absorbed through the skin, it can cause PERMANENT eye damage WITHOUT ever directly coming into contact with your eyes. As a result, you would expect that children’s products would be SLS-free. Unfortunately not, most children’s shampoos contain just as much SLS as those for adults.
Sodium laureth sulfate is also absorbed into the body from skin application. Once it has been absorbed, one of the main effects of SLS is to mimic the activity of the hormone estrogen. This has many health implications and may be responsible for a variety of health problems from PMS and Menopausal symptoms to dropping male fertility and increasing female cancers such as breast cancer, where estrogen levels are known to be involved.
Why is a dangerous chemical like SLS used in our soaps and shampoos?
The answer is simple - it is cheap.
Products commonly found to contains SLS or Sodium Laureth Sulfate are: Shampoos, Bubble Baths, Body wash, Soap, Face Cleansers, Moisturizers, Shaving Cream, Sun Cream, Tooth paste
Do not believe that just because a product is labeled as "natural" it is free from SLS or sodium laureth sulfate. Most common brands of "Natural" or "Herbal" shampoos and cleansers still use these harmful chemicals as their main active ingredient - check your labels!
Shampoos are among the most frequently reported products to the FDA. Some soaps have concentrations of up to 30%, which the ACT report called "highly irritating and dangerous".
The Journal of the American College of Toxicology report states that "Other studies have indicated that Sodium Lauryl Sulfate enters and maintains residual levels in the heart, the liver, the lungs and the brain from skin contact. This poses question of it being a serious potential health threat to its use in shampoos, cleansers, and tooth pastes."
