Why avoid Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), a harsh foaming agent

Sodium Lauryl Sulphate - why you should avoid products with the harsh foaming agent (surfactant) SLS - 26 October 2010
Why avoid Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), a harsh foaming agent

Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) is used in many of your personal care products – from face washes to shampoos, shower gels and toothpaste.  You will find SLS in around 90 % of all high street brands!

Why is it used?
Sodium lauryl sulphate is a strong detergent and an effective but very harsh foaming agent that costs almost next to nothing to produce so it’s no wonder that manufacturers use SLS.

Why you should avoid SLS
This powerful foaming agent (surfactant) unfortunately comes with a price – irritated skin and itchy scalp!

Sodium lauryl sulphate is actually the most irritating surfactant used in foaming products – it is even used to clean engines, wash cars and scrub garage floors!

When you use a product containing SLS you are stripping off the natural protective oil layer on your skin, leaving it irritated, itchy and inflamed.

Studies on Sodium lauryl sulphate have shown that:

·         SLS easily gets absorbed and enters the bloodstream

·         SLS delays the healing of wounds

·         SLS causes skin irritation and flaking of the skin

·         SLS damages the hair follicle and impairs the ability to grow hair

Ref: Judi Vance, Beauty To Die For, Promotion Publishing, 1998

Did you know...
Sodium Lauryl Sulphate is routinely used in clinical studies deliberately to irritate the skin so that the irritation of other substances can be tested!

What can I use instead?
There are safe, natural and non-irritating options. Try the gentle foaming products in our Organic Young range:  Oy! Shampoo & Shower for hair and body, made with the gentle foaming agent Decyl glucoside derived from corn and coconut, and Sodium coco-sulfate derived from coconut and known for its rich, dense foam and great conditioning effect.

Looking for a gentle face wash and shaving gel? Try Oy! Wash & Shave based on Coco glucoside derived from Coconut and Amaranth protein.  Amaranth protein is an extremely mild foam-booster that gives skin a great conditioned feel.