Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulphate (SLES) is an anionic surfactant widely used in cleansers, shampoos and body washes to produce foam and remove dirt and oil. It is generally milder than sodium lauryl sulphate due to its ethoxylated structure.
| Reported effect | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Skin irritation and dryness | Common | Can disrupt the skin barrier and cause dryness, especially at higher concentrations or with prolonged contact. |
Eye irritation | Common | Stinging or redness if product contacts the eyes, relevant in shampoos and facial cleansers. |
Contact dermatitis | Uncommon | Irritant rather than allergic reaction in most cases; more likely on sensitive or compromised skin. |
Allergic contact dermatitis | Rare | True allergic sensitisation is uncommon and may relate to impurities. |
1,4-dioxane contamination concerns | Very rare | A byproduct of ethoxylation; modern manufacturing typically reduces it to trace levels considered safe. |
Frequencies reflect typical cosmetic use reported in the literature, not a guarantee for your skin.
Peer-reviewed papers on this ingredient, via PubMed.