Sodium Lauryl Sulphate

[freeztar]

I've read mixed claims regarding this widely used chemical.

Some sources claim that it is cancerous, others claim that it is benign. Hopefully the collective group here can reach some sort of consensus either way.

Sodium Lauryl Sulphate

[pamela]

we touched on this lightly in the cancer cure thread last week. I am of the thinking that it could very well be cancer causing as we are exposed to this on a daily basis.Being a key ingredient in shampoos and soap, our skin is subjected to it. I did notice an ad on TV today, stating that a new hair coloring product is free from sodium lauryl sulphate. This may be a trend as more studies are conducted

Cancer Causes

[freeztar]

Yeah, I got the idea for this thread subject from the cancer causes thread.
I felt that this subject deserves its own thread.

I've also noticed products claiming no SLS.

When I was 19 (12 years ago) I was working at a local Health Food store. In my free time, I would pick a book from the shelves and read some of it. One of the books was focused on common cancer agents. It listed many chemicals that are commonly used in both food and cosmetic items. For some reason, SLS stuck with me. The book (wish I could remember the title) made it out to be the worst chemical that people are regularly exposed to. For a few years after, I avoided it like the plague, carefully reading every label to make sure that the product did not contain SLS.

Then, one day while researching, I found other claims that suggested no ill effects from SLS. Ever since then, I've taken the default position of skepticism. I'm hoping that someone knows of some recent research that can lay these claims to rest, one way or another.

[pamela]

there are primarily two that are being used as a surfactant, these are sodium lauryl sulphate and sodium laureth sulphate

Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) or sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS or NaDS) (C12H25SO4Na) is an anionic surfactant that is used in industrial products including engine degreasers, floor cleaners, and car wash soaps; as well as in household products such as toothpastes, shampoos, shaving foams, some dissolvable aspirins, fiber therapy caplets, and bubble baths for its thickening effect and its ability to create a lather

Sodium laureth sulfate, or sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES), is a detergent and surfactant found in many personal care products (soaps, shampoos, toothpaste etc.). It is an inexpensive and very effective foaming agent made by mixing sulfuric acid, monododecyl ester, and sodium salt.

Its chemical formula is CH3(CH2)10CH2(OCH2CH2)nOSO3Na. Sometimes the number represented by "n" is specified in the name, for example laureth-2 sulfate. The commercial product is heterogeneous, both in the length of the alkyl chain (12 being the mode of the number of carbon atoms), and in the number of ethoxyl groups, where n is the mean. n=3 is common in commercial products. SLES can be derived from ethoxylation of dodecyl alcohol used to make SDS.

Sodium lauryl sulfate (also known as sodium dodecyl sulfate or SLS) and ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS) are commonly used alternatives to SLES in consumer products.

I went to the store today and looked at the ingredients listed on all shampoos and body washes. The most common was SLS and i only found one brand that used the ammonium lauryl sulphate. I have searched extensively on the web attempting to find some new information, but have not as of yet. Although there are many all natural websites that give the horrors, but insufficient supporting data. I will continue to explore and see what i can find. In the meantime, i will go to my local health food store and purchase what is available. I am curious to see what, if any, effect it has on my hair and skin when eliminating the SLE. No way to know about its carcinogenic value, but it may determine healthier skin and hair.
Sodium laureth sulfate - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sodium lauryl sulfate - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Moontanman]

I am highly allergic to SLS, it breaks out my scalp and skin badly I avoid it when ever possible.

[pamela]

from moon
I am highly allergic to SLS, it breaks out my scalp and skin badly I avoid it when ever possible.

must be an expensive alternative-
It strips the oils from the skin, what do you mean by breaking out? and specifically, what is your allergic response or is it a reactionary response and not a true allergy?

[Moontanman]

Originally Posted by pamela

must be an expensive alternative-
It strips the oils from the skin, what do you mean by breaking out? and specifically, what is your allergic response or is it a reactionary response and not a true allergy?

Not expensive at all I simply use Ivory bar soap, the effects of SLS is worse on my scalp, it causes sores and extremely large flakes of skin to come off my scalp. It also effects my pubic area as a rash and eventually becomes raw if I continue to use it. Tide detergent also causes the same effect. Ivory soap doesn't bother me at all but it's less than ideal as a shampoo.

[pamela]

hmmn sounds like it could be contact dermatitis
Unfortunately TIDE does not list what type of surfactant is used, but i would surmise it is SLES or SLS.
I did not check out bar soap but i do know that Ivory shampoo contained the offender. Be careful with your household cleaning products as well, you might want to consider gloves

[Moontanman]

Most bar soaps contain SLS or something similar but Ivory is just soap, no scents or anything else added. I've never noticed any hand problems mostly just my scalp and pubic area, under arms. tide is a very bad offender as is Irish Spring bar soap. It has been a long time since I had a problem because I use only Ivory soap. some shampoos seem to be worse than others possibly scent agents make it worse.

[pamela]

posted by me
I am curious to see what, if any, effect it has on my hair and skin when eliminating the SLS. No way to know about its carcinogenic value, but it may determine healthier skin and hair.

well, it's been a little over 3 weeks now since i abandoned the SLS products. I have been using liquid castille soap for hair, body and face. Well, my hair has gone dread, actually really curly and thick now as opposed to fine and strait. My skin is balanced, usually dry this time of year and requires lotion, but not now after eliminating the offending agent. I have even been using it on my face to the horror of most women my age, but again, no lotion or moisturizer needed. ( even those wrinkles are not as pronounced)
My assessment? the active ingredient used to scrape the sludge off your garage floor should not be used on your person. It strips the oils from your hair and body. I haven't found any new info yet on carcinogenic factor, but will keep on looking