Sodium lauryl sulfate question

[maryfitz24]

Hello all.

I've read that sls is an irritant for the skin. If that is so, why is Cetaphil recommended by many people as being gentle? It is an ingredient in there.

Anyone know if sls is truly an irritant to skin?

 

[LittleRumor]

Meh. There are a lot of "irritants" in products, some are mild some are strong (like alcohol in an astringent). I don't think sls is not irritating for ALL skin types. (I read about an expanded skin type reference that considers sensitive and reslient type skin...I'll post the book title and author when I get home.) This book consideres the 'tolerance' of your skin and what products/ingredients are O.K. to use.

Most cleansers have sls for foaming properties, which actully don't do a thing to your skin except make you think you're cleaning something. References I read warned people to beware products that are heavily foaming because of the potential irritating problems sls may induce. I personally use Mario Badescu Enzyme cleansing gel, which has NO sls and therefore does not foam at all when cleaning.

Cetaphil has a low concentration, as you may notice since it doesn't foam as much. FYI Paula Begoun reviews Cetaphil as a /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" /> smiley face which means that it is a good product regardless that there's sls in it. And we all know how strict she is with skin irritants. /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[ArbonQueen]

I agree with Rumor...

Ann Phelps /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[jen19]

i think it's considered drying and irritating only when it's a primary ingredient, which proably means first or second on ingredients list. It's #4 on the cetaphil cleanser list. I just mentioned this in another post but try Desert Essence Thoroughly Clean Face Wash- NO SLS! First 3 ingredients- Castile soap, Olive Oil, Coconut oil- not stripping but gets all makeup off and leaves skin clean and silky and doesn't clog pores

 

[Kelly]

That is sad about cetaphil....I do find the cetephil for oily skin to be more stipping and causing me to become more 'tight' after use. I don't get this feeling from the regular cetaphil.

As long as it's not the top ingrediant and its further down....some skin types can handle it.....others with sensitive skin will feel 'tight' or 'stripped'.....

SLS is used in detergents, yes to create lather or such or as a cheap filler. It can be quite harsh or stripping, ever wonder why your clothes fade when you wash them? It's the SLS in the detergent...some detergents have more than others, therefore some detergents will strip your color faster.
Same goes with facial cleansers, hair products, body washes, toothpastes and so on. SLS is a detergent and can be quite harsh. That being said, if you have sensitive skin or concerns....just look for products that are more natural. I'm not saying it's dangerous, just that SLS is a strong detergent and cheap filler that is used and will result in 'stripping'....whether it be color from clothing or it could even be stripping on your skin as well.....although some people are able to handle it just fine. People with more sensitive skin, it just may be a bit too much for us.

Some cleansers or products do not use this (Aloette for one, does not have SLS in any of their products and there are many other natural products out there as well).

 

[Kelly]

I totally agree!!!! Well put!