What is sles and sls (sulfate) and what is its use?
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing
Nowadays, many cosmetic and personal care products are labeled as “sulfate-free” or, more commonly, “shampoo without sulfates.”
What are these substances?
Is it logical to recommend avoiding them?
To answer these questions, it is better to take a brief look at the world of science and research studies.
In this article, we will explain what these mysterious acronyms (SLES, SLS) mean and what effects these substances have.
What do SLES (Texapon) and SLS mean?
What is Texapon?
What is SLS? (What is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate?)
Let’s start from the beginning. What are these substances?
SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) and SLES (Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate) are clear, light yellow, and viscous liquids.
They are among the most important anionic surfactants, being sulfate salts of fatty alcohols. Similar to other fatty alcohol sulfates and fatty alcohol ether sulfates, the use of SLES and SLS is due to their surfactant properties.
SLES 70% is commonly known worldwide as Texapon.
Because their molecules have both hydrophilic and hydrophobic parts, the ability to modify their properties allows the use of these compounds in a wide range of applications, such as those requiring high activity (foaming, cleaning power), stability in a wide pH range, water solubility, or chemical compatibility.
Role of Sulfates (SLES and SLS):
Chemical products containing SLS or SLES (Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate) have excellent foaming properties. Therefore, they easily react with impurities, including oily stains and discoloration, effectively removing them. They also have excellent cleaning and emulsifying properties. Their presence increases resistance to hard water.
The substances SLES and SLS can also increase the viscosity of a detergent formulation in the presence of non-ionic or amphoteric surfactants and electrolytes.
SLES and SLS rapidly undergo complete biodegradation, thus their use also has an ecological aspect.
Applications of SLES and SLS:
Now that we have a better understanding and have answered the two main questions: What is SLS? What is SLES? it’s better to focus on the applications of SLES.
Both substances (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate[ SLS ] – Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate[ SLES] ) can be found in most cosmetic and personal care cleansing products, as well as in cleaning agents. These two substances are commonly used in shampoos, shower gels, and liquid soaps. They are also found in pet cleaning products.
We may also find SLES and SLS in cleaning agents that we use daily in our homes, such as some laundry detergents.
These substances are also used in the textile industry. They show a bleaching effect that even removes very stubborn stains.
Most of the ingredients used in industrial detergents, including car wash products, contain chemical sulfate compounds.
Their intense foaming and high cleaning power make it possible to clean any surface, even if it is covered with oil or other thick oily substances.
Other applications include those related to the construction industry, chemical industries, and the production of fire extinguishing materials.
Dangers of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate for Human Health:
What about their harmful activity? Why are they used on such a large scale, despite many sources warning about their adverse effects? We will explain shortly.
- Safety of Using SLS and SLES
The presence of SLS or SLES in various formulations does not have any adverse effects on the human body. The safety of products containing these two substances is often confirmed through studies, which are sometimes mentioned on the label.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) has confirmed the safety of using these substances in cosmetic and personal care products.
- Are Sulfate Compounds Carcinogenic and Toxic?
Many organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), register and classify chemical compounds that have carcinogenic or toxic effects. The important point is:
SLES and SLS are not classified as toxic substances by any of these organizations. In short, these substances are not toxic.
- Do Sulfates Irritate the Skin?
Observable side effects may occur as a result of direct and prolonged contact with these substances in their pure form, which most of us do not come into contact with in daily life. Therefore, in cosmetic and personal care products, they are used at lower concentrations and combined with various other surfactants, which eliminate any potential side effects and ensure the safe use of the final product.
Products containing SLES, as well as those without SLES, may still have irritating or sensitizing properties.
The appropriate combination of ingredients in a formulation, despite the presence of SLES, helps in the development of very gentle preparations, even with the negative approach toward this substance.
Still, such products can be found on store shelves. Why?!
Probably because no equally economical and effective alternative has been found so far. Most cleansing products found in stores contain this substance.
Depending on the amount of the substance used and the materials it is combined with, the potential irritability of the final product may vary. Reading the ingredient list alone does not provide such information.
Additionally, evaluating a product solely based on the analysis of its ingredients can be misleading, because anyone who studies surfactants in detail knows that they behave differently when combined with other substances.
Should we buy products containing SLS and SLES?
Should we buy sulfate-containing products or not? Are they harmful or not?
Does sulfate-free shampoo really pose no harm?
By now, you should have a full understanding of this issue to decide whether to purchase products containing sulfates or sulfate-free ones.
The summary of this article states that the use of products containing SLS or SLES is safe. The correct combination and technology used in their production offer many positive and beneficial properties. However, it is important to choose reliable, high-quality products and use them as intended. This ensures the effectiveness and safety of these formulations.
Padehdeh Shimi Gharb Company offers SLES and SLS under the following names:
The summary of this article states that the use of products containing SLS or SLES is safe. The correct combination and technology used in their production offer many positive and beneficial properties. However, it is important to choose reliable, high-quality products and use them as intended. This ensures the effectiveness and safety of these formulations.
Padehdeh Shimi Gharb Company offers SLES and SLS under the following names:
The summary of this article states that the use of products containing SLS or SLES is safe. The correct combination and technology used in their production offer many positive and beneficial properties. However, it is important to choose reliable, high-quality products and use them as intended. This ensures the effectiveness and safety of these formulations.
Padehdeh Shimi Gharb Company offers SLES and SLS under the following names:
The summary of this article states that the use of products containing SLS or SLES is safe. The correct combination and technology used in their production offer many positive and beneficial properties. However, it is important to choose reliable, high-quality products and use them as intended. This ensures the effectiveness and safety of these formulations.
Padehdeh Shimi Gharb Company offers SLES and SLS under the following names:
The summary of this article states that the use of products containing SLS or SLES is safe. The correct combination and technology used in their production offer many positive and beneficial properties. However, it is important to choose reliable, high-quality products and use them as intended. This ensures the effectiveness and safety of these formulations.
Padehdeh Shimi Gharb Company offers SLES and SLS under the following names:
Texapon
All products produce very stable foam and are fully biodegradable. They also meet the standards of the guidelines related to cosmetics and detergents.
However, before purchasing, it is important to define your expectations for a specific product or even consult a specialist. When it comes to cosmetics, it is better to get advice on what is best for an individual’s skin, as some chemical ingredients may trigger reactions in different ways, including allergic reactions.
The technical experts and consultants at Padehdeh Shimi Gharb are available to provide online or phone-based technical advice and are waiting for your call.
A wide range of high-quality surfactants is available in the PSGRAW product portal. We invite you to review our product catalog!
source:https://www.products.pcc.eu/en/blog/sles-and-sls-what-are-these-substances-and-where-are-they-used/
