SLS, SLES & Parabens

These chemicals are commonly found in shampoos and personal care products.
Sodium laureth sulphate, or sodium lauryl ether sulphate (SLES), is a detergent found in many personal care products (soaps, shampoos, toothpaste etc.). It is an inexpensive and very effective foaming agent.

Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) is a detergent that is used in industrial products including engine degreasers, floor cleaners, and car wash soaps; as well as in household products such as toothpastes, shampoos, shaving foams and bubble baths for its thickening effect and its ability to create a lather.

Sodium lauryl sulphate is considered to be the most harmful - it is used in testing laboratories as the standard ingredient (upon which all other substances are compared) for irritating the skin. A solution of just 2% SLS can increase skin thickness, cause irritation, inflammation, and increase other forms of immune activity in the skin.

Parabens are a group of chemicals widely used as preservatives in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. They can be found in shampoos, commercial moisturisers, shaving gels, topical/parenteral pharmaceuticals, spray tanning solution and toothpaste. They are also used as food additives.

Some reports suggest that parabens may cause skin irritation, rash, dermatitis, and allergic skin reactions. Children may be more at risk as their skin is thinner, allowing harmful substances to be more easily absorbed. Concerns have been raised about the long-term health risks of using products containing parabens.

Our Products
None of our products contain SLS. The only product to contain SLES is the Australian Tea Tree Skin Wash and, due to the tests required on such a product, we know it is perfectly safe to use.

Our Opinion
The potential for damage by the inclusion of SLS in a skin wash, toothpaste or any other product designed for "brief, discontinuous use" is extremely remote. The concentration of the surfactant is too low and the contact time during washing/brushing (less than five minutes) too brief to have an effect. You should be wary of products that could soak in to the skin such as moisturisers, shaving cream, skin wipes, conditioners and bubble-bath etc.
In terms of safety, Sodium lauryl sulphate, sodium laureth sulphate, ammonium lauryl sulphate, ammonium laureth sulphate and many other foaming agents are perfectly safe to use in the concentrations dictated by the associated authorities. Even in literature where such surfactants are portrayed as having the possibility to cause skin irritation in certain individuals, SLES, ALS and ALES are described as being milder than SLS (e.g. Cosmetics Unmasked by Dr Stephen & Gina Antczak).
An American College of Toxicology study reported; "Both sodium and ammonium lauryl sulphate appear to be safe in formulations designed for discontinuous, brief use followed by thorough rinsing from the surface of the skin. In products intended for prolonged contact with skin, concentrations should not exceed 1%" there is no mention of avoiding these substances.

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