Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
AKA “SODIUM SALT, FOR BIOCHEMISTRY, DODECYL SULFATE SODIUM SALT, LAURYL SULFATE SODIUM SALT, SDS”
Synthetic
Ingredient Facts
Sodium lauryl sulfate
AKA: SODIUM SALT, FOR BIOCHEMISTRY, DODECYL SULFATE SODIUM SALT, LAURYL SULFATE SODIUM SALT, SDS
Synthetic · Cleansing · EWG: 1
Synthetic
Cleanser
Emulsifier
Plant Oil
Synthetic
Not Clean
A gentle cleanser derived from coconut that creates a rich lather to remove dirt and oil while helping other ingredients blend smoothly into the formula.
Formula
C12H25NaO4S
Mol. Weight
288.38
CAS #
151-21-3
Form
Powder
See origin →
Functions
Cleansing
Makes oil and water mix so dirt, makeup, and sunscreen can actually be washed away. The reason your face wash foams.
Denaturant
Foaming
Cleansing
Makes oil and water mix so dirt, makeup, and sunscreen can actually be washed away. The reason your face wash foams.
Emulsifying
Forces oil and water to stay mixed instead of separating into layers. The unsung hero holding your lotion together.
Removes Impurities
Makes Alcohol Undrinkable
Creates Lather
Cleansing Surfactant
Traditional Use
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) was developed in the early 20th century as a synthetic surfactant. It became widely used in cosmetics and personal care products from the 1930s onward as a cleansing and foaming agent, replacing natural soap-based products.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types, gentle
Best For
General
Melanin-Rich Skin
Highly Suitable
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
1
CIR
Safe w/Qualifications
Pregnancy
Yes
Restricted By
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
ewg-1
medical-approval
pregnancy-nursing-safe
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Agencies
Effects of Sodium Salts of Fatty Acids and Their Derivatives on Skin Permeation of Cromolyn Sodium.
Akinbote OE, Verana G, Dandekar AA, Tijani AO, Mishra D et al.
AAPS PharmSciTech, 2023
Effects of Sodium Salts of Fatty Acids and Their Derivatives on Skin Permeation of Cromolyn Sodium.
Akinbote OE, Verana G, Dandekar AA, Tijani AO, Mishra D et al.
AAPS PharmSciTech, 2023
Are sodium lauryl sulfate-containing toothpastes suitable vehicles for xylitol?
Assev S, Wåler SM, Rølla G
European journal of oral sciences, 1997
Are sodium lauryl sulfate-containing toothpastes suitable vehicles for xylitol?
Assev S, Wåler SM, Rølla G
European journal of oral sciences, 1997
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
SODIUM SALT
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Profile of irritant patch testing with detergents: sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate and alkyl polyglucoside.
Löffler H, Happle R
Contact dermatitis, 2003
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate Stimulates the Generation of Reactive Oxygen Species through Interactions with Cell Membranes.
Mizutani T, Mori R, Hirayama M, Sagawa Y, Shimizu K et al.
Journal of oleo science, 2016
Immune response to topical sodium lauryl sulfate differs ...
Marvin Nüsken, Fabian Heinemeier, Silke Sabina Matzke, Patryk Porebski, Susann Forkel, Prasad Dasari + 4 more
European journal of immunology, 2024
Immune response to topical sodium lauryl sulfate differs ...
Marvin Nüsken, Fabian Heinemeier, Silke Sabina Matzke, Patryk Porebski, Susann Forkel, Prasad Dasari + 4 more
European journal of immunology, 2024
Verified Feb 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR