Sodium Lauryl Sulphate

(Chemical Safety Facts., 2022)

What is Sodium Lauryl Sulphate?

Sodium Lauryl Sulphate is a surfactant. Surfactant is a fancy word for a chemical that helps wash dirt

and oils away. There are many different types of surfactants, but what sets sodium Lauryl Sulphate apart

is the fact that it is quite foamy. Some things that Sodium Lauryl Sulphate is used in include but are not

limited to: Soaps, cleaning products, fruit punches and toothpastes.

(Chemical Safety Facts., 2022)

Is Sodium Lauryl Sulphate Dangerous?

Sodium Lauryl Sulphate is “designated as safe for general or specific, limited use in food.” Further, it is

rated a 1 on EWG’s skin-deep scale. (EWG Skin Deep., n.d.) This means no sufficient evidence concludes

that it is dangerous for what it is generally used in. With that being said, two things are also true. First, the

“The toxicological properties have not been fully investigated.” (Fisher Scientific Company., 2023) That

means that there might be some unknown effects of this substance that we have not yet discovered.

Secondly, the “most important symptoms and effects causes severe eye damage.” (Fisher Scientific

Company., 2023)

 

What are the controversies regarding this substance?

 

Although there is no evidence to support this substance being dangerous for most of the things that it is

used for, there are still some controversies surrounding this substance. Firstly, although the “most

important symptoms and effects cause severe eye damage”, (Fisher Scientific Company., 2023), there are

still some reported cases of this substance being in “around the eye cream.” (EWG Skin Deep., n.d.)

There is also a lot of misinformation about this substance. Although unfounded, some people will suggest

that sodium lauryl sulphate is a carcinogen. This might influence whether consumers buy products

containing this substance.

 

References:

 

Chemical Safety Facts.org (2022).  Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) - Chemical safety facts. Retrieved January 31, 2025, from https://www.chemicalsafetyfacts.org/chemicals/sodium-lauryl-sulfate-sls/#:~:text=Food%20 Additive-,As%20a%20food%20additive%2C%20SLS%20is%20used%20as%20an%20emulsifier ,in%20fruit%20juices%20and%20punches 

 

EWG Skin Deep. (N.D.).  What is sodium lauryl sulfate?.  Retrieved February 2, 2024, from https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredients/706110-SODIUM_LAURYL_SULFATE/ 

 

Fisher Scientific Company (2023). Safety data sheet. Retrieved February 1, 2024, from 

https://www.fishersci.com/store/msds?partNumber=S529500&productDescription=SOD+ LAURYL+SULFATE+NF%2FFCC+500G&vendorId=VN00033897&countryCode=US& language=en 

 

 

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