Sodium lauryl sulfate is commonly used as a skin irritant in clinical testing. It is applied to the skin to cause a rash or a similar reaction in order to create the correct atmosphere for a sensitive skin care product to be tested for effectiveness. On a slightly more shocking level, SLS has been shown to remain in organ tissues like the heart, liver and brain long after it was applied to the skin. It can strip away the skin’s protective lipids, seriously irritate and damage the eyes, and cause hair loss by damaging the follicle. It also works as an usher for environmental contaminates, as it “opens up” the more sensitive layers of the skin to external damaging aggressors. Of course, these adverse affects generally appear only when excessive amounts of sodium lauryl sulfate are used. However, even if you’re only using a small amount of SLS in your daily beauty care products, are you sure that you want this ingredient anywhere near your skin knowing its possible effects?

So, why is SLS used? The answer is simple and unsurprising – it’s cheap and able to get the job done. This benefits both the manufacturer and the consumer – if it’s cheaper to make, it’s cheaper to sell. For those who aren’t worried about the possible effects of SLS, it’s a dream ingredient that offers both the desired results at a wallet-friendly price.

Safety organizations have obviously approved the usage of sodium lauryl sulfate, most likely because the percentages used in skin, hair and oral care formulations are low enough for use without immediate irritation or damage. This leaves the decision up to you. For those who wish to stay away from SLS, there are many beauty treatments that feature coconut-derived cleansers or other gentle cleansing agents. Just take a few extra moments to glance at the skin care ingredient list of the product in question and decide if sodium lauryl sulfate is the ingredient for you.