Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS or Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate) is a surfactant from the alkyl sulfates family, one of the most popular detergents in cleansing applications. It is a white to yellowish powder (or needles) with a characteristic odor. The solution is slightly alkaline, 1% at 25°C pH values of 7.5-9.5.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate exhibits excellent detergent, foaming, and emulsifying properties, providing rich and long-lasting foam. It is biodegradable and non-toxic, but it has the potential to irritate and dry the skin. Thus, cleansing and other personal care products must be combined with agents that mitigate, refat, and moisturize.
Used as a primary surfactant, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is usually combined with secondary mild detergents and additives that have ameliorative effects, such as betaines (including other amino-acid-based surfactants), glucosides, glycerin, urea, and lecithin. Those additives can reduce SLS's degreasing ability but provide a pleasant skin feeling after washing.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is used in many shampoos, foaming cleansers, body washes, hand washes, and toothpastes. It is also used in household products as a detergent agent in washing powders, dishwashing tablets, and specialized cleaning products for hard surfaces. In other industries, it is used as a potent emulsifying agent, fire retardant, surfactant, plating, or auxiliary agent.Related ingredients
