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Sodium Lauryl Sulfates

Sodium Lauryl Sulfates are used in these products because they create a bubbling or foaming reaction that helps to emulsify and wash away oil, dirt and debris from the skin, hair or teeth. Sodium Lauryl Sulfates create that foaming action that gets us clean, and creates the squeaky clean sensation in your hair when you get out of the shower.

For years now, Sodium Lauryl Sulfates have been getting a bad rap in the press, including rumors that this foaming compound may cause cancer. These myths have been debunked by a variety of reputable research companies, agencies and groups including the American Cancer Society. The truth is that SLS is a chemical agent and like any other, if it is misused and abused, it may cause some unwanted side effects.

However, for the typical consumer, the greatest risk associated with SLS is swallowing too much toothpaste or getting some shampoo in your eyes. If this does happen, your chances of cancer do not increase, the side effect is simply stinging eyes, diarrhea and an upset stomach. Despite these temporary maladies, Sodium Lauryl Sulfates have been proven to be perfectly safe for use in consumer products in the amounts that you will find.

A common product to find SLS in is toothpaste because it creates the bubbles or the foam that one usually associates with toothpaste. Because Sodium Lauryl Sulfates do not have an odor or a taste, it’s the perfect choice for creating the bubbling action that we associate with toothpaste. A.M/P.M Whitening Protection Toothpaste Combo from GoSmile is a toothpaste product that utilizes Sodium Lauryl Sulfates to get teeth clean and white with their unique formulation.

Shampoos are another common product that takes advantage of the powerful foaming quality of Sodium Lauryl Sulfates to emulsify the dirt, oil and buildup that occurs in our hair and rinse it clean. The result is squeaky clean hair that actually feels clean to the touch, without a residue left behind. Anti-dandruff shampoos often use SLS to help deliver the medication to control dandruff and itching. Summers Laboratories Tarsum Shampoo/Gel is a powerful shampoo that controls itching, redness and dandruff by applying the product before bathing.

Despite the research disputing claims that Sodium Lauryl Sulfates are non-carcinogenic, they may still prove to be slightly harmful to people with particularly sensitive skin. This is because Sodium Lauryl Sulfates may cause excessive drying of the skin, or itching, aggravating existing skin conditions or affecting people with eczema or chronically dry skin.

For people with skin conditions that are trying to avoid any extra unnecessary aggravation on their skin, a shampoo that does not contain Sodium Lauryl Sulfates may be a good choice. A product such as Osmotics FNS Revitalizing Shampoo is a shampoo that does not contain Sodium Lauryl Sulfates and instead uses all natural ingredients to achieve clean hair. This shampoo blend cleans hair mildly without stripping it of its natural oils which leaves hair clean, healthy and strong without the potential drying effect that SLS may cause.

Facial cleansers often use Sodium Lauryl Sulfates to achieve the foaming action that is associated with proper cleansing of the skin. There are many people who have sensitive facial skin and react strongly to any product that has unnecessary chemicals or additives in them. For this reason, there are products on the market that do not use SLS. A facial cleanser such as Aquanil Cleanser is a lipid-free and soap-free cleanser that does not use Sodium Lauryl Sulfates. The result is a cleanser that leaves skin clean, but not dried out. It does not strip the skin of essential oils that are needed for proper skin health.

As many bubble baths commonly contain Sodium Lauryl Sulfates, many new parents read up on the chemical and determine they do not wish to expose their newborn to it. It is true that babies have extremely sensitive skin, and their exposure to unnecessary chemicals should be limited. For this reason, California Baby has created its formulations with only natural ingredients, including their Bubble Bath, which is available in a number of pleasant fragrances, as well as this fragrance-free variety.

There is substantial research available to dispute any serious health claims against Sodium Lauryl Sulfates, which means that the additive is normally safe if it used properly. That means that it should not be swallowed, left to sit on the skin for an unreasonable amount of time, or put in the eyes. However, even if the product is used incorrectly, there are no serious, long term side effects. If you are concerned about the addition of Sodium Lauryl Sulfates in your personal care products, or you have very sensitive skin, there are alternatives available to you. Be sure to check the labels of your products carefully and search for products that do not contain SLS.

Article posted 4/13/2007.

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A.M./P.M. Whitening Protection Toothpaste Combo by GoSmile $30.00

Bubble Bath Super Sensitive - Fragrance Free - Fragrance Free by California Baby $13.59

FNS Revitalising Shampoo by Osmotics $18.00