Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is an anionic surfactant widely used as a foaming and cleansing agent in shampoos, body washes, and facial cleansers. It is generally considered milder than Sodium Lauryl Sulfate due to ethoxylation.
| Reported effect | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Skin dryness and barrier disruption | Common | Can strip natural lipids with frequent or prolonged use, especially in high concentrations |
Mild skin or eye irritation | Common | Stinging or redness on contact, particularly in sensitive individuals or leave-on products |
Worsening of existing dermatitis/eczema | Uncommon | May aggravate compromised skin barriers in atopic conditions |
Allergic contact dermatitis | Rare | True sensitization is uncommon; reactions sometimes attributed to residual impurities |
Concerns regarding 1,4-dioxane contamination | Rare | A trace by-product of ethoxylation; controlled by manufacturing purification standards |
Frequencies reflect typical cosmetic use reported in the literature, not a guarantee for your skin.
Peer-reviewed papers on this ingredient, via PubMed.