What are The Dangers of Sodium Laureth Sulfate In Shampoo?

If you have ever looked on the label of most shampoos you might have seen sodium laureth sulfate listed as one of the ingredients. What is it and what does it do to your body?

Sodium laureth sulfate is a surficant, or an agent that loosens the bond of things like oil to other objects such as skin or hair.

It is used as an industrial degreaser and to clean factory floors of grease and grime.

If it is that powerful, can you imagine what it does to your delicate scalp on a daily basis?

You wouldn't keep a drum of industrial degreaser in the shower so why are you washing your hair with it?

It is not a discriminating cleaner. It strips your body's largest organ, skin, of important oils and because it is a very small molecule is absorbed into the skin directly.

Some shampoo makers use a similar compound called sodium laurel sulfate. It is very chemically similar but it has ethylene oxide added to form larger molecules which are not absorbed as easily by the skin.

This may be slightly better for you but it is still a version of an industrial cleaner.

Studies by the University of Georgia show that sodium laureth sulfate can react with other chemicals in common cosmetic products to form cancer causing compounds called nitrosamines and dioxines.

Most regular shampoos are a coctail of many potentially harmful chemicals. There are natural alternatives though and choosing shampoos that do not contain sodium laureth sulfate is a wise choice.