Why we must choose products without Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate – SLS (it is also found as Sodium Laureth Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Ether Sulfate – SLES) is a chemical soap agent, which is recently under control of safety, suspected as a potential toxic substance. It is found in very wide range of products for daily use, connected with personal hygiene and body care. These include toothpastes, shampoos, lotions, soaps, liquid face soaps and many others.
Initially, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate was not intended for mass use in products. It was used like an industrial additive in degrease cleaning agents. Today it can be found in products, which are in close contact with human skin.
The cause to be a part of so many products available today is precisely consumers’ expectations that the bigger quantity of foam is connected with its cleaning capabilities. This is one of the most major chemicals produced in U.S, since they use it as a cheap foaming agent.
SLS irritates skin and threatens its natural balance of hydration
SLS deprives hair and skin from their natural moisture due to its strong cleaning capabilities. Actually, you can clean your hair, skin or mouth with the same success using more delicate and skin friendly substance. There are a few fatty acids, which can clean our skin without destroying its delicate acid layer protecting it from outside elements and toxins.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is identified as one of the major factors causing irritating and inflammation of the skin. It has the ability to easily enter into dermis layers as well as into bloodstream. The eroding foam agent can easily destroy lipid layers that care for smoothness and elasticity of the skin.
SLS is a toxin, which allows toxins to penetrate the skin
It is often used as an absorbing agent, allowing the other components such as vitamins, moisturizers and minerals to easily enter under surface of the skin. However, most soaps, shampoos and moisturizers containing SLS, have also many chemicals in their composition.
This is another huge concern, because they are usually the main reason for destroying defense of skin layers. When we use products containing SLS and other chemical toxins and preservatives, we literally invite all toxins to enter in our skin and bloodstream. SLS was also found in brain tissues, liver, heart and other vital organs. This is a proof that not only it can penetrate our organisms, but it can permanently stay there.
SLS irritates eyes, gums and hair follicles
The chemical is forbidden for use in baby shampoos, because it has the capability to irritate eyes and other sensitive mucosae. The continuous exposure to this toxic substance can cause blurry vision and burning sensation. Even, in some cases, it was connected with blindness.
Studies show that SLS can cause also gum inflammations. Many advertised toothpastes use it as a foaming agent. Individuals, who suffer from gum inflammation, recover much faster when they stop using SLS in their mouth hygiene care.
This toxin is also involved in the presence of hair loss, because may cause irritation and damage of hair follicle. When using shampoos, containing SLS, is possible to occur drying of hair shafts and loosing its natural shine.
In recent times, avoiding products with dangerous foaming agents becomes easier. There are lots of soaps, shampoos, toothpastes and other personal hygiene products on the market, offering healthy care without SLS.
Here is also one video in which “Sarah Ulrich” shows how much products in our markets have this substance!
Author: Tsvetan Petrov is a health blogger and owner of “Get Holistic Health” blog.