Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate (SLES) is an anionic surfactant widely used in cleansers, shampoos, and body washes to produce foam and remove oils and dirt. It is generally milder than sodium lauryl sulfate due to ethoxylation.
| Reported effect | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Skin irritation/dryness | Common | Can disrupt the skin barrier and cause dryness, especially at higher concentrations or with prolonged contact. |
| Eye irritation | Common | May cause stinging or irritation on contact with eyes in rinse-off products. |
| Contact dermatitis | Uncommon | Irritant rather than allergic in most cases; more likely with sensitive or compromised skin. |
| Allergic contact dermatitis | Rare | True allergy is uncommon; reactions are sometimes attributed to trace impurities. |
| 1,4-dioxane contamination concern | Rare | A potential ethoxylation byproduct; controlled by manufacturing purification and regulatory limits. |
Frequencies reflect typical cosmetic use reported in the literature, not a guarantee for your skin.
Peer-reviewed papers on this ingredient, via PubMed.