There is now a whole discussion about the benefits and harms of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). Some believe that the use of funds that contain this component is very harmful to health. Others, on the other hand, allow the use of goods with SLS.
Negative impact of SLS
In the United States, the National Institutes of Health has identified the possible consequences of using substances with sodium lauryl sulfate. This substance can cause harm to the human body, causing dry skin, oral ulcers, eczema. Also, SLS is toxic to the gastrointestinal tract and liver.
What is sodium lauryl sulfate?
This product is obtained as a result of repeated chemical processing of coconut oil. This surfactant is used in detergents, especially shampoos. Due to the safety of use, efficiency and low cost, SLS has become very widespread in cosmetology. This product is part of shampoos, shower gels, bath foams, toothpastes and mouthwashes. Sodium lauryl sulfate is also used in household chemicals and technical detergents.
It is known that SLS can cause skin irritation. However, in the form in which it is presented in cosmetic preparations, lauryl sulfate is safe.
The main advantage of this component is foaming. With the help of foam, the shampoo perfectly “separates” the dirt from the hair and “holds” it in its volume. If this does not happen, pollution and fat will settle on the hair again. You can verify this by washing your head with soap. In addition, foaming shampoo is quite economical to use and brings a pleasant feeling during washing.
It cannot be said that each shampoo contains mild cleansing substances that significantly reduce the aggressive effect of SLS. And some of them (sodium coco amphodiacetate, sulfosuccinate, DEA cocamide) are used in tear-free shampoos intended for children.
You have probably noticed more than once that after washing, the hair roots quickly become oily. Why is this happening?
The thing is that, washing away the dirt from the hair, sodium lauryl sulfate also removes fat, which is a protective barrier. Therefore, unprotected hair becomes easily damaged. To prevent this, the body begins to actively produce fat with even greater strength. Therefore, the hair roots are greasy rather quickly, losing their appearance.
Shampoos without sodium lauryl sulfate
What should be the ideal tool for washing hair? It turns out that it should effectively remove pollution and not degrease the scalp. Today this problem has been solved. High-quality shampoos are able to wash off the fat layer from the hair, replacing it with obesity supplements. Such substances include vegetable oils, derivatives of lanolin and fatty acids, animal fats, lecithin. Additives are part of the shampoo in the form of microdrops. In the process of washing, an exchange of fats occurs: the dirt is washed off, moisturizes jojoba or coconut oil in the scalp.
As a result of studying the composition of hair washing products, shampoos without SLS were identified. Here are some cosmetic products:
- Most Japanese companies produce shampoos without SLS: Lion, Kracie, Lebel, Resche, Kanebo Pola, MoltoBene. These funds are created using surfactants extracted from the fruits of plants, flowers and algae.
- Instead of SLS, the French cosmetic company Melvita uses a plant-based surfactant - decyl glucoside.
- The German brand Dr. Hauschka also produces hair care products that do not contain sodium lauryl sulfate, using sugar tensides as a surfactant.
- Some shampoos made by leaders in the modern cosmetics industry also do not contain SLS. This is Professionnel Delicate Color from L'Oreal and Professional Bonacure Color from Schwarzkopf. These cosmetics are designed for colored hair. Shampoos from the Rainforest series from The Body Shop include blueberry extract, sugar, and linseed oil.