Sodium Lauryl Sulfate - Safe or Unsafe?

The controversy is widespread. Is sodium lauryl sulfate safe? Well, I am not a scientist. But, like I have indicated in earlier blogs, you don't need to be a scientist to know how a bath and beauty product makes your skin look and feel. I have an ingredient challenge for you today. I want you to look at the ingredient labels on the bath and beauty products you use on a daily basis:

• Shampoos and Conditioners
• Body and Face Wash
• Toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Makeup
• Laundry detergent
• Hair products

How many of your bath and beauty products contain this chemical? If you are an all-natural consumer, probably none of your products contain this ingredient. Instead, natural products use a substitute for sodium lauryl sulfate (I'll get into that later).

So what is sodium lauryl sulfate?

Simply put, it is sodium salt from lauryl sulfate. It's function is quite simple. It's used as a denaturant, surfactant, cleansing agent, emulsifier, and foaming agent. Mainly known as a detergent, this chemical is cheap for companies to use.

I am not going to argue to cancer-causing case against SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate). However, I'll say this. Canadian and UK studies are compounding and showing evidence that this stuff isn't so great in our bath and beauty products (www.ewg.org/skindeep).

I want to focus on why you should illuminate SLS from all of your bath and beauty products and I believe my reasons will be easy to relate to, for the most part. Let me address the top 3 concerns related to SLS for consumers:

1. Irritation
2. Organ system toxicity (non-reproduction)
3. Ecotoxicology

Today, I will address #1. I encourage readers to further research the claims in reference to #2-3. Generally, the #1 concern I've encountered personally and heard about is irritation: dandruff  dry skin, flakes, breakouts, blackheads, icky skin, ECT. Do you experience any of these conditions with your bath and beauty products?


I did. I still do. I am in the process of removing the chemical from my shampoo and conditioner. I've already got rid of my face and body wash. I'm coming up with a whole new line of all-natural shampoo and conditioner for only $5 ea. (8oz. bottles). My hair is either oily or dry. There really isn't an in-between. I also stopped using hair moose and hair spray. The ingredients in these products were ruining my hair. Since I ceased to use them, my hair has never been so curly, soft, and fuzzy-free. I am working on a Shea butter recipe for curls!

Simple fact is this: is your bath and beauty products giving you the outcome you want? Is your hair soft hours after you've taken a shower? Is your face silky smooth and blemish-free like all those brands promise? Are you flaky? Are your eyes irritated? Is your skin red? The most common issues with SLS is irritated skin.

This is something to ponder. For more information:

www.ewg.org/skindeep
safecosmetics.org
greenpeople.co.uk

All-Natural Mineral Makeup
www.lovemerecovery.com
(Coming soon! All-Natural Bath and Beauty Products under $9.99)

Follow me on Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Love-Me-Recovery/518677474849952
https://twitter.com/LoveMeRecovery
http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=236378679&trk=tab_pro