Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) on your skin: a safety profile

What is sodium laureth sulfate (sles)?

Also known as: (C10-C16) alcohol ethoxylate sulfated sodium salt, alcohols, C10-16, ethoxylated, sulfates, sodium salts, sodium pareth sulfate.

CAS number

68585-34-2

Molecular formula

C14H29NaO5S

Molecular weight

332.43 g/mol

SMILES

CCCCCCCCCCCCOCCOS(=O)(=O)[O-].[Na+]

PubChem CID

23665884

Regulatory consensus

1 regulatory bodyhas classified Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES).

Regulators apply different standards of evidence — animal-data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds — which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. The disagreement is the data.

Where you encounter sodium laureth sulfate (sles)

• Personal Care — shampoo, body wash, hand soap, dish soap, toothpaste
• Consumer Products — laundry detergent

Safer alternatives

Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES):

• Sodium cocoyl isethionate
  Trade-offs: Alternative surfactant; performance characteristics (foaming, emulsification, wetting) vary; biodegradability and aquatic toxicity should be assessed; formulation adjustment may be needed.
  Relative cost: 1.2-2×
• Coco glucoside
  Trade-offs: Bio-based (from corn/coconut); mild to skin/eyes; biodegrades rapidly (>99% in 28 days); comparable foaming and cleaning at higher concentration; 15-30% cost premium over SLS; compatible with sensitive-skin formulations.
  Relative cost: 1.2-2×
• Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate
  Trade-offs: Removes 95-99% of dissolved contaminants including metals, PFAS, nitrates; wastes 2-4 gallons per gallon produced (improving with newer systems); removes beneficial minerals; $0.05-0.25/gallon; requires pre-treatment for longevity.
  Relative cost: 1.2-2×

Frequently asked questions