sodium lauryl sulfate
sodium lauryl sulfate

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)

Common names: SLS, Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS), Sulfuric Acid Monododecyl Ester Sodium Salt, Sodium Monododecyl Sulfate, E487 (European food additive code).
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KIDSADVISORY SAFETY RATING
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Caution
Published by Jordana Tobelem, RD, LDN — Last Updated on Apr 16, 2025
Medically reviewed by Dr. William Lin, MD
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is a surfactant commonly used in the food industry as an emulsifier and foaming agent. It helps in mixing ingredients that typically do not combine well, such as oil and water, thereby improving the texture and consistency of various food products. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permits the use of SLS in specific food items under regulated conditions.[1]
Despite its widespread use, concerns have been raised regarding SLS's potential to cause skin irritation, particularly with prolonged exposure. However, multiple scientific reviews have determined that SLS is safe for consumers when used appropriately in personal care and cleaning products. In the context of food applications, adherence to regulatory guidelines ensures its safe consumption.[2]

Safety Overview

Regulatory Bodies

FDA (US)
The FDA permits the use of SLS as a food additive under specific conditions, such as an emulsifier in egg whites and a whipping agent in marshmallows, with concentration limits to ensure safety.[1]
Health Canada
Health Canada recognizes SLS as a common ingredient in cosmetics and personal care products, functioning primarily as a cleansing agent. The agency emphasizes the necessity for manufacturers to ensure that SLS concentrations are within safe limits to prevent adverse skin reactions.[3]
EFSA (Europe)
The EMA has evaluated SLS as an excipient in medicinal products, acknowledging its utility as an emulsifying and solubilizing agent. While generally considered safe, the EMA advises caution due to potential irritant properties, especially in topical formulations.[4]
WHO (World Health Organization)
The WHO has assessed SLS in the context of its use in pharmaceuticals and personal care products, noting its efficacy as a surfactant. However, the WHO highlights the importance of adhering to recommended concentration limits to minimize the risk of skin irritation.[5]

FDA GRAS

U.S. Food and Drug Administration – Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS)
Current Status
Classified

EWG Rating

Environmental Working Group
  • EWG Rating: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) has been assigned a hazard score of 1 to 2 by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), indicating a low to moderate hazard potential.[6]
  • Level of Caution: The Environmental Working Group (EWG) notes that SLS can cause skin, eye, or lung irritation, particularly with prolonged exposure or in individuals with sensitive skin.[6]
  • Possible Health Risks: While SLS is generally considered safe for use in personal care products, it has been associated with moderate concerns regarding non-reproductive organ system toxicity.[6]
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More about Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)

  • Confectionery: Marshmallows, hard candies, chewing gum
  • Baked Goods: Cakes, pastries, biscuits
  • Beverages: Carbonated soft drinks, whipped toppings in ready-to-drink beverages, instant coffee creamers

Historical Use
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) has been widely used as an anionic surfactant in personal care products (PCPs) due to its effective emulsifying and detergent properties. Its application extends to various formulations, including shampoos and soaps, enhancing their cleaning efficiency.[7]
Current Exposure
Consumers are frequently exposed to SLS through daily use of personal care products, such as shampoos, toothpastes, and soaps, where it serves as a surfactant to aid in cleansing. Additionally, SLS is present in certain pharmaceutical formulations, acting as a wetting agent to improve drug solubility.[8]

Skin Irritation
SLS is known to cause skin irritation, particularly at higher concentrations or with prolonged exposure. Studies have demonstrated that even at a 0.1% concentration, SLS can induce moderate skin irritation in animal models.[9]
Eye Irritation
Exposure to SLS can lead to eye irritation, with symptoms ranging from mild discomfort to more severe reactions, depending on the concentration and duration of contact. Research indicates that SLS has protein-denaturing properties, which may contribute to its irritant effects on ocular tissues.[10]
Oral Mucosal Irritation
In dental care products, SLS has been associated with irritation of the oral mucosa, potentially leading to conditions such as desquamation or recurrent aphthous stomatitis (canker sores). A systematic review suggested that SLS-containing toothpastes might exacerbate oral mucosal conditions in susceptible individuals.[11]
Systemic Toxicity
While SLS is primarily a topical irritant, ingestion of large amounts can lead to systemic toxicity, including gastrointestinal distress. Acute oral toxicity studies in rats have reported an LD50 of approximately 1,288 mg/kg, indicating potential risks at high doses.[12]

Toxicological Studies
Acute toxicity assessments indicate that SLS has an oral LD50 ranging from 0.8 to 1.10 g/kg in rats, suggesting moderate toxicity upon ingestion. Additionally, SLS exhibits protein-denaturing properties, leading to potential degenerative effects on cell membranes.[10]
Long-Term Safety
Chronic exposure to SLS, particularly at concentrations exceeding 1%, has been associated with skin irritation and dermatitis in humans. However, when used in formulations designed for brief, discontinuous use followed by thorough rinsing, SLS appears to pose less potential hazard.[13]

High-Risk Groups
Individuals with atopic dermatitis (AD) exhibit increased skin sensitivity to irritants like SLS. Studies have shown that SLS can exacerbate skin barrier disruption in AD patients, leading to heightened irritation.[14]
Health Impacts
In susceptible individuals, particularly those with pre-existing skin conditions, exposure to SLS can result in irritant contact dermatitis. Research indicates that SLS-induced irritation is more pronounced in atopic skin compared to non-atopic skin.[15]

Recommended Intake
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permits the use of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) as a food additive under specific conditions, stating that it should be used in the minimum amount required to achieve its intended effect. However, the FDA has not established a specific Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) for SLS. Instead, its usage levels in food products are regulated based on current good manufacturing practices, ensuring that the quantity added does not exceed what is necessary for its technical function.[1]

General Safety Level
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is widely used in personal care products and is generally considered safe for the majority of the population.[16] However, it is known to cause skin irritation, especially with prolonged exposure.[16]
Sensitive Individuals
Individuals with pre-existing skin conditions, such as atopic dermatitis, may experience heightened sensitivity to SLS.[16] Studies have shown that SLS can exacerbate skin irritation in these populations.[16]

FAQ

What is a base used in deodorants? Sorbitol, carrageenan, magnesium hydroxide, or sodium lauryl sulfate?

Magnesium hydroxide is commonly used as a base in deodorants due to its ability to neutralize odor-causing acids.

Is sodium lauryl sulfate bad?

Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) can cause skin irritation in some individuals but is generally considered safe in regulated amounts.

What is sodium lauryl sulfate?

Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is a surfactant used in cleaning products, shampoos, and toothpaste to create lather and remove oils.

References

  1. US Food and Drug Administration 2023 CFR - Code of Federal Regulations Title 21 Sodium Lauryl Sulfate Available at: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-172/subpart-I/section-172.822 ↩︎
  2. Chemical Safety Facts 2023 Sodium Lauryl Sulfate SLS Available at: https://www.chemicalsafetyfacts.org/chemicals/sodium-lauryl-sulfate-sls/ ↩︎
  3. Health Canada 2023 Safety of Cosmetic Ingredients Available at: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/consumer-product-safety/cosmetics/labelling/safety-ingredients.html ↩︎
  4. European Medicines Agency 2017 Sodium laurilsulfate used as an excipient Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/report/sodium-laurilsulfate-used-excipient-report-published-support-questions-and-answers-sodium-laurilsulfate-used-excipient-medicinal-products-human-use_en.pdf ↩︎
  5. World Health Organization 2023 Toxicological monographs Available at: https://www.who.int/groups/joint-fao-who-expert-committee-on-food-additives-%28jecfa%29/publications/toxicological-monographs ↩︎
  6. Environmental Working Group 2023 Sodium Lauryl Sulfate Available at: https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredients/706110-SODIUM_LAURYL_SULFATE/ ↩︎
  7. Zicarelli G Impellitteri F Faggio C Blahova J Svobodova Z Hesova R Riesova B Vargova MF Piccione G Multisanti CR Lakdawala P 2024 Effects of a Common Surfactant Sodium Lauryl Sulfate on Early Life Stages of Two Fish and One Amphibian Species Water Air & Soil Pollution 235 Article 807 Available at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11270-024-07639-8 ↩︎
  8. Florence AT Attwood D 2006 Commonly Used Excipients in Pharmaceutical Suspensions in Physicochemical Principles of Pharmacy Springer pp. 67-68 Available at: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-4419-1087-5_3 ↩︎
  9. Longdom 2023 The Study of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate SLS Toxicity Available at: https://www.longdom.org/open-access/the-study-of-sodium-lauryl-sulfate-sls-toxicity-102703.html ↩︎
  10. Cosmetic Ingredient Review 1983 Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate Journal of the American College of Toxicology 2(7) 127-181 Available at: https://cir-reports.cir-safety.org/view-attachment/?id=e66d8e86-8d74-ec11-8943-0022482f06a6 ↩︎
  11. Alli BY et al. 2019 Effect of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate on Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis A Systematic Review Journal of Oral Health and Dental Research 3(2) 45-52 Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Babatunde-Alli/publication/331574561_Effect_of_Sodium_Lauryl_Sulfate_on_Recurrent_Aphthous_Stomatitis_A_Systematic_Review/links/5dd29d2a92851c382f482334/Effect-of-Sodium-Lauryl-Sulfate-on-Recurrent-Aphthous-Stomatitis-A-Systematic-Review.pdf ↩︎
  12. Cornell University 2015 Sodium Lauryl Sulfate Profile Available at: https://ecommons.cornell.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/760502fe-b2d5-4d66-b5c7-850b111e1818/content ↩︎
  13. Cosmetic Ingredient Review 1983 SLS - Cosmetic Ingredient Review Available at: https://www.cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/imports/alerts.pdf ↩︎
  14. Perkins MA et al. 2011 Increased skin barrier disruption by sodium lauryl sulfate in mice expressing a constitutively active STAT6 in T cells Archives of Dermatological Research 303(1) 65-72 Available at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00403-011-1168-2 ↩︎
  15. Jakasa I et al. 2018 Atopic Dermatitis Irritant Contact Dermatitis and Allergic Contact Dermatitis In Kanervas Occupational Dermatology pp. 1-12 Springer Available at: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-27099-5_9 ↩︎
  16. Heetfeld AB et al. 2020 Challenging a paradigm skin sensitivity to sodium lauryl sulfate is independent of atopic diathesis British Journal of Dermatology 183(1) 139-145 Available at: https://academic.oup.com/bjd/article/183/1/139/6698591 ↩︎

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