Sodium Laureth Sulfate: Facts and Rumours
I've recently noticed that a lot of clients have been misinformed about the commonly used "sodium laureth sulfate" (SLES) in shampoos so I'm writing this blog in hopes to give our clients a better understanding of the ingredients found in our hair care products.
You should be concerned when the shampoo has "sodium lauryl sulfate" (SLS), which is the harsher surfactant found more commonly in toothpastes. So sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) is not to be confused with sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), and our shampoos from Bumble and Bumble, contains sodium laureth sulfate acting as emulsifying agent, NOT the harsher sodium lauryl sulfate(SLS).
Regarding the claims of sodium laureth sulfate and sodium lauryl sulfate being carcinogenic, science has not proven both SLES or SLS to be carcinogenic. So the answer is no, they don't cause cancer.
Fact:
- sodium laureth sulfate, or SLES, is found commonly in shampoos
- sodium lauryl sulfate, or SLS, is found more commonly in toothpastes and is harsher than SLES
- SLES, and SLS, is NOT carcinogenic
References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_laureth_sulfate
