"Medium penalty" in all categories.
- Origin(s): Synthetic
- Other languages: Lauret sulfat de sodiu, Laureth sulfate de sodium (SLES), Laureth sulfato de sodio, Laurethsulfát sodný, Natrijev lauret sulfat, Natriumdodecylpolyoxyethylensulfat, Natriumlaurethsulfaat, Nátrium-lauret-szulfát, Siarczan laurylowy sodu, Sodio laureth solfato, Sodyum lauret sülfat, Sulfato de sódio Laureth, Натриев лаурет сулфат, Натријум лаурет сулфат, נתרן לאורת סולפט, كبريتات لوريث الصوديوم, ラウレス硫酸ナトリウム, 소듐라우레스설페이트
- INCI name: SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE
- EINECS/ELINCS number: 221-416-0/ - / 500-234-8 / - / 500-223-8 / 293-918-8
- Classification: Sulphate, Ethoxylated compound, Anionic surfactant
Namely
Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLES) is an anionic surfactant used in cosmetics for its detergent properties. It is therefore very present in shower gels and shampoos. It is produced from Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) by ethoxylation, a very polluting chemical transformation, which is why it is prohibited in organic products. Sodium Laureth Sulphate is reputed to be less irritating than Sodium Lauryl Sulphate although the latter is more natural and authorized in Organic, it is the chemical transformation that has softened it and increased its foaming power.
This ingredient is classified as ecotoxic according to REACH (Aquatic Chronic 3).
This ingredient is classified as ecotoxic according to REACH (Aquatic Chronic 3).
Biodegradable :
Not readily biodegradable.
Its functions (INCI)
- Cleansing : Helps to keep a clean surface
- Emulsifying : Promotes the formation of intimate mixtures between immiscible liquids by modifying the interfacial tension (water and oil)
- Foaming : Capturing small air bubbles or other gases in a small volume of liquid by changing the surface tension of the liquid
- Surfactant : Reduces the surface tension of cosmetics and contributes to the even distribution of the product when it is used
This ingredient is present in 9.76% of cosmetics.
