Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
Also: SLES · sodium lauryl ether sulfate · sodium polyethylene glycol lauryl ether sulfate
Acceptable — the product itself is mild; the real concern is 1,4-dioxane contamination from manufacturing, which is regulated in NY and CA.
Testosterone & hormonal load
SLES itself is not an endocrine disruptor. It is milder than SLS due to ethoxylation, which reduces skin irritation. However, the ethoxylation manufacturing process can leave traces of 1,4-dioxane, a probable human carcinogen (IARC Group 2B). California and New York have established maximum limits for 1,4-dioxane contamination. Choose brands that third-party test for 1,4-dioxane if SLES is in your regular products.
Found in.
Two jurisdictions, two different verdicts.
Permitted in cosmetics. 1,4-dioxane classified as a probable carcinogen with a maximum concentration of 10 ppm allowed in cosmetics.
Permitted in cosmetics. FDA monitors 1,4-dioxane levels but has not set a federal cosmetic limit.
The receipts.
- [01]CIR Final Report — Safety of Sodium Laureth Sulfatewww.cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/SLES.pdf
- [02]New York DEC — 1,4-Dioxane regulationwww.dec.ny.gov/regulations/117220.html
- [03]California Prop 65 — 1,4-Dioxane carcinogen listingoehha.ca.gov/proposition-65/chemicals/14-dioxane
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