Question:
Is SLS cancer-causing?
What It Is
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is
a coconut-based surfactant and foam booster. It is widely used in the cosmetic
industry in products such as creams, lotions, cleansers, toothpaste and
shampoos.
Why It’s Included
Surfactants, by definition,
remove dirt and oils from the surface of the skin and/or hair. This is
an essential function of a cleanser. Its foaming action serves as the vehicle
to transport the loosened dirt or oil from the body. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
is used as a surfactant and a foam booster in Arbonne’s Cleansing Gel.
The Facts
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is
not injurious when it is formulated properly and has not been found to
be a carcinogen. The CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review Board) has found that
sodium lauryl sulfate is only an irritant when applied at concentrations
of 2% or more. The Review Board concluded that sodium lauryl sulfate is
safe in formulations designed for brief use following rinsing (i.e. wash-off
products). Arbonne uses less than 2%.
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