Thanks to the advertising that flooded our lives, many have heard about the harmful, according to scientists and researchers, component of most personal care products - Sodium Laureth Sulfate. What it is? Let's look at the article.
What is Sodium Laureth Sulfate?
It is a chemical component, a cheap surfactant that has a strong detergent, cleaning, foaming and wetting effect. This ingredient is widely used in industrial production and in household chemicals (cleaning and degreasing agents for washing dishes, floors, machines and other surfaces), Sodium Laureth Sulfate is also actively used in cosmetics, namely in:
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is considered less dangerous than Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SCS), but despite this, this substance is still the most powerful allergen that can seriously worsen the condition of patients suffering from dermatitis. By destroying the hydrolipidic film, the substance reacts with the lipids of the skin and destroys them. Also, this component is a good conductor of toxic substances, easily connecting with other ingredients, forms dioxins and nitrates and quickly carries them to all organs.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate in Shampoo
This substance is especially often used in the manufacture of shampoos - about 90% of them contain this ingredient. SLES (or SLS, or ALS, or ALES) is the first component in the list of most shampoos and acts as its washing base. Adding these substances is the cheapest and easiest way to get a thick foam, as well as cleanse your skin and scalp from sebum. The concentration of sulfates in the product can be different: in shampoos for normal and dry hair, they are less, for greasy - more. More expensive products use SLES and SLS, while cheaper ones use ALES and ALS. Finding a shampoo that does not contain Sodium Laureth Sulfate or other sulfates is a very difficult task.
It has long been believed that sulfates are one of the triggering factors for the development of cancer. But later this myth was dispelled and proved that sulfates are not carcinogens. However, nevertheless, these substances, and in particular Sodium Laureth Sulfate, can harm the body significantly.
The effects of sulfates on the human body
They purify sulfates, oxidizing the surface, including the skin, and leave a film on it. As a result, the epidermis is irritated, itching, redness, peeling, and allergies develop. With prolonged use, skin diseases.
Under the influence of sulfates, the hair dries out, which leads to the formation of brittle, split ends and dry ends. Dandruff can also form, hair loss, and diseases of the scalp.
Sulfate influences in such a way that the hair becomes oily at the roots, and they have to be washed much more often. This is explained simply - the work of the sebaceous glands is activated as a result of a strong degreasing of the scalp.
Through the dermis, sulfates penetrate into tissues and organs: liver, eyes, heart, kidneys, brain. These substances settle there and accumulate there, their concentration gradually rises. As a result, the protein composition of cells can change, which, in turn, provokes the development of various diseases (for example, cataracts). This is especially true for children. Also, Sodium Laureth Sulfate and other sulfates can damage the immune system and cause cell mutations.
These substances are practically not excreted by the liver.
How to limit the effect of sulfates on the body?
Of course, cosmetics containing sulfates should not be used by people with sensitive and prone to allergic skin reactions. Many companies produce products with the words "for children", "children's" and so on, but often this is just an advertising gimmick and such tools are no different in composition from "adult" products.
Means containing SLS are generally recommended to be avoided, their use for children is not particularly desirable. The rare use of cosmetic products with SLES as part of a particular harm will not bring. But, as a rule, we use such means every day: dishwashing liquid, shower gels and soap, shampoos.
The sulfate content in cream and other cosmetics is especially dangerous, because such products remain on the skin for a long time. This also applies to makeup remover and washing, because many people remove makeup from the eyes with face care.
Do not give in to advertising tricks and treat dandruff, itching and peeling with sulfate shampoos . After all, these funds themselves can cause such problems.
Is there an alternative?
Instead of cosmetic products with sulfates, you should choose natural and organic cosmetics. As a rule, the quality of these products is confirmed by international certificates. Instead of harmful sulfates, plant-based components are used in such products: lauret sulfosuccinate, lauril glucoside, cocoglucoside, obtained from glucose and coconut oil. Such shampoos, gels, and soap do not foam very well, compared with sulfate-containing products that produce a rich foam. In our childhood, shampoos also foamed poorly, but they did not dry their hair and as often as today, we did not have to wash our hair.
Finally
Naturally, it is simply impossible to completely abandon the means, which contain sulfates. But their application can at least be limited by carefully studying the label and choosing cosmetic products with less aggressive ingredients. It is especially necessary to choose funds for children. Recently, various skin diseases have been diagnosed in babies more and more often, because from birth, their delicate skin is exposed to the aggressive influence of the so-called “children's” products. Be extremely careful and protect your health!