Brilio.net - Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLS) is an ingredient that is often found in body care products, such as bath soap and shampoo . This ingredient is known as a surfactant which functions to produce foam and clean dirt and oil from the skin. SLS works by lowering the surface tension of water, allowing the product to lather more easily and lift impurities from the surface of the skin.
Although SLS is effective in producing abundant foam and strong cleaning effects, there are several things to note. The reason is, SLS can cause irritation to sensitive skin or dry skin, because it can remove the skin's natural moisture. Therefore, it is important to choose products with SLS that suit your skin type and monitor your skin's reaction to this ingredient.
Not only does it make your skin dry , sodium laureth sulfate also poses a number of other dangers to skin health. Before using care products containing SLS, you need to recognize the seven dangers of sodium laureth sulfate, as briliobeauty.net summarized from various sources, Monday (5/8).
1. Skin becomes itchy and irritated.
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The most common effect of sodium laureth sulfate is its ability to excessively strip the skin of its natural oils. Quoting from Healthline, Dr. Hadley King, a certified dermatologist from New York, explains that SLS works as an effective surfactant in binding oil and dirt.
However, sodium laureth sulfate often removes the natural oils that the skin needs to retain moisture. As a result, regular use of products with sodium laureth sulfate can cause the skin to become itchy and irritated.
2. Disrupts the skin barrier.
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The second danger of sodium laureth sulfate is its potential to disrupt the skin's natural barrier. Quoting from Allure, SLS damages the lipid layer on the skin surface which functions as a protector. When this barrier is compromised, the skin becomes more susceptible to external irritants and loses moisture quickly. Ultimately it can cause dryness and irritation.
3. Exacerbating previous skin problems.
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Sodium laureth sulfate worsens existing skin conditions. For someone with sensitive skin such as eczema, using products containing SLS can cause flare-ups or worsen existing symptoms. Quoting from Vogue, Dr. Certified dermatologist Shereene Idriss warns that patients with certain skin conditions should be careful with products containing sodium laureth sulfate.
4. Produces dangerous contaminants.
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You need to know, although sodium laureth sulfate is not considered carcinogenic, the production process produces potentially dangerous contaminants. Quoting from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) explanation, 1,4-dioxane can be formed during the ethoxylation process during the manufacture of SLS, so that carcinogens may enter the human body. Although the amounts are usually very small in the final product, long-term exposure remains a concern for some health experts.
5. Causes eye irritation.
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Products containing SLS, especially shampoo and body wash, cause discomfort if they accidentally get into the eyes. Reporting from Byrdie, Dr. Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin, a certified dermatologist, explains that this is caused by the detergent properties of SLS which disrupt the tear film and cause irritation.
6. Increase penetration of other ingredients into the skin.
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Although it can be an advantage for some active ingredients in skin care products, potentially harmful or irritant ingredients can also penetrate the skin more easily. Reporting from Women's Health, you need to be careful with the combination of ingredients in products that contain SLS.
7. Skin pH imbalance.
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Skin has a natural, slightly acidic pH to maintain the health of the microbiome in the skin. You need to know, products with SLS tend to have a higher pH. It's not surprising that it can disrupt the skin's natural pH balance. Quoting from Elle, changes in skin pH can cause the growth of unwanted bacteria and trigger other skin problems.