Ingredient glossary
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
On your shelf ✓What Sodium Laureth Sulfate does for your skin, who it suits, and what to watch for.
INCI: Sodium Laureth Sulfate · Also: SLES
In short: Sodium Laureth Sulfate delivers cleansing and oil removal, suits most skin types, and the evidence behind it is moderate. One thing to know: clear it with your doctor if pregnant; introduce it gently.
- What it does
- Cleansing, oil removal
- Best for
- Most skin types
- Watch out
- Clear it with your doctor if pregnant; introduce it gently
- Evidence
- Moderate
The molecule
The Glow take
Nice to have, and nothing to overthink.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate plays a quiet supporting role, rounding out a formula rather than being the reason you buy it.
— Maya
What it does
- cleansing
- oil removal
moderate evidenceComparative irritancy work shows sodium laureth sulfate causes less TEWL increase than sodium lauryl sulfate but remains a significant irritant relative to milder amphoteric and nonionic surfactants.
Who it's for, and who should skip it
Tends to suit
- oily
- normal
Approach with care
- very sensitive
- compromised barrier
- rosacea
- Clogs poresModerate
- Irritation riskModerate
How it fits each skin type
- DrySuits
- CombinationSuits
- OilySuits
- SensitiveTake care
Take extra care if any of these apply to you: compromised barrier, rosacea.
Where it fits in your routine
Plays well with
- amphoteric surfactants
- nonionic surfactants
Sodium Laureth Sulfate, answered
Is Sodium Laureth Sulfate safe during pregnancy?
Clear it with your doctor first. Sodium Laureth Sulfate is flagged as use-with-caution during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so check with your doctor or midwife before adding it.
Who should avoid Sodium Laureth Sulfate?
Approach Sodium Laureth Sulfate with care if any of these apply to you: very sensitive, compromised barrier, and rosacea. Its irritation risk is moderate, so introduce it slowly and patch test first. It carries a moderate risk of clogging pores, so acne-prone skin should go carefully.
What concentration of Sodium Laureth Sulfate actually works?
Its concentration is rarely printed on the label, so use the ingredient list as your clue: near the top third it is likely doing real work, near the bottom it is more of a sprinkle.
During pregnancy
Treat Sodium Laureth Sulfate as a maybe rather than a yes for now. It is flagged as one to use with caution while pregnant or breastfeeding, so it is worth clearing before you carry on.
When in doubt, check with your doctor or midwife. They outrank any website, including this one.
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