Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES, also SLS), is a detergent and surfactant found in many personal care products (soaps, shampoos, toothpaste etc.). It is a cheap and very effective foamer.

CH₃(CH₂)₁₀CH₂(OCH₂)_nOSO₃Na

Sometimes the number represented by "n" is specified in the name, as laureth-n sulfate (unsubscripted), for example laureth-2 sulfate. The product of commerce is heterogeneous, both in the length of the alkyl chain (12 being the mode of the number of carbon atoms), and in the number of ethoxyl groups, where n is the mean. n=3 is a common article of commerce.

If SLES is not present sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) (also known as sodium lauryl sulfate or SLS) or ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS) will probably be.

There is a persistent but unfounded myth (usually circulated via e-mail) that SLES is carcinogenic. It does not cause cancer, but it can irritate the skin and cause nausea or diarrhea if ingested.

Sometimes listed as Steol-130, 230, 270, 330, 370 or 460; Stepanol; Alkyl Ether Sulfate; Sodium POE(2) Lauryl Ether Sulfate; Sodium Diethylene glycol Lauryl Ether Sulfate; Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate.

External link

• http://www.checnet.org/healthehouse/chemicals/chemicals-detail.asp?Main_ID=285
• Snopes Urban Legends Reference: Sodium lauryl sulfate