Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is a common foaming and dispersing agent used in beauty, household, and industrial products. It has been controversial due to its potential toxicity, skin irritation, and possible carcinogenic effects. Despite being classified as non-carcinogenic by research-based organizations, animal rights activists have protested its use in clinical trials. SLS can also dry out the skin and induce hair loss if it corrodes the follicle.
When manufacturers mix sulfuric acid, monododecyl ester, and sodium salt together, they can, surprisingly, make an everyday product that is used by a large portion of the general human population. Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is a chemical compound used as a cleaning agent in many beauty, household and industrial products. In its pure state, it is known to emit toxic fumes in the presence of excessive heat due to thermal decomposition. But when mixed in diluted concentrations, it can be bottled and sold as a branded skin care product or cologne.
The role of this compound in these products is usually that of a foaming or dispersing agent. For example, toothpastes or body washes that foam when used contain sodium lauryl sulfate, as well as products that require its components to be evenly dispersed, such as perfume oils in body sprays.
However, the use of sodium lauryl sulfate has been the subject of much controversy. It has arguably been called one of the most dangerous ingredients in today’s products. Household essentials such as cosmetic cleaners, bath gels, shampoos and dish soaps contain up to 15% of the compound. Also suitable for industrial applications, it is present in higher concentrations when used in floor washing and degreasing solutions, thanks to its corrosive and anti-grease properties.
One thing about sodium lauryl sulfate that has made many animal rights activists protest is its use in clinical trials. The chemical is used as a primary skin irritant in animal or human test trials. Usually, a rash is likely to develop after the compound is applied to the skin. The product itself, usually meant to treat skin irritation, is then tested to see if it works.
In addition to subjecting human and animal test subjects to varying degrees of discomfort, critics say sodium lauryl sulfate is retained in the tissues of organs such as the heart, liver and brain. In laboratory animals, the tests have been accused of causing mutagenic effects. If it stays in the eye for too long, it can also lead to the development of cataracts. Because sodium lauryl sulfate is corrosive by nature, it can dry out the skin by stripping protective lipids from the surface, weakening the body’s natural moisture regulating mechanisms. If it corrodes the follicle, hair loss can also be induced.
In extreme cases, sodium lauryl sulfate is claimed to be carcinogenic, though not itself. However, when exposed to other nitrogen-containing ingredients of a skin product, the resulting oxidation reaction can form nitrosomines, which are carcinogenic nitrates. Opponents of this argument say that the percentage of the compound in such products is usually not enough to cause cancer in humans. The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), and the National Toxicology Program (NTP) are all research-based organizations that have classified it as non-carcinogenic .
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