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little chickadee

SLS what is it, and why is it bad?

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I've read a couple of posts about people avoiding SLS Sodium Laureth Suphate. What is it (It's one of those ingredients that seems to be in most things) and why is it bad?

I've got very sensitive skin under my arms and have been using Boots baby wash, but this seems to have it in too, as does most other stuff I have looked at.

 

Who avoids it and why? What can you recommend using instead?

 

(I realise I could just google it, but my eyes are not very good at trawling through reams of text so thought someone here could probably help out)

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SLS (or SLES as it is sometimes called) is a foaming agent used in shampoos, bubble bath and so on. Some studies have shown it to be carcinogenic - but let's face it, just about anything can be carcinogenic in high concentrations! More importantly, it can cause skin irritation, even in people who don't have "sensitive skin". Itchy scalp, itchy or spotty skin are typical symptoms.

 

Some ranges do without foaming agents, but not everyone feels that a non-foaming shampoo is actually getting their hair clean! Other brands like Faith in Nature use different foaming agents that are thought to be less damaging, e.g. ammonium laureth sulphate.

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There's an interesting article on SLS at http://www.greenpeople.co.uk/info_features_sls.aspx You could question it's impartiality (as it's on a 'green' skincare website) but it seems well referenced.

 

We've both got fairly sensitive skin and have recently switched to SLS-free shampoo, shower-gel, etc and it does seem to have made a difference.

 

Rob

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There's an interesting article on SLS at http://www.greenpeople.co.uk/info_features_sls.aspx You could question it's impartiality (as it's on a 'green' skincare website) but it seems well referenced.

 

Thanks for that, an interesting read. I agree, and didn't think it came across as biased at all, it reads as well researched and not at all scaremongering :D

 

Egluntine, you are right, that bit in particular is very interesting. I don't suffer from mouth ulcers, but know at least one person I can think of right now who I will be mentioning that to :shock:

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8) Yes, toothpaste will be the next thing to change here, thanks for that.

 

L.Chickadee; I stopped SLES shampoo 2 years ago and my "newest" 3/4 ins. of hair isn't at all dry.

 

When we started the no shampoo topic, I think it was the grease stripping effect that was felt to be far too much for a scalp (good for cleaning car engines, too extreme for skin!). Ideally, skin will balance itself, & SLES just takes too much out.

 

It may seem expensive, but not if you use less. Best wishes. :D

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I use Aloe Dent toothpaste - the texture is a bit more gel-like than most toothpastes owing to using aloe vera juice to replace some of the water, but it's SLES-free (contains Sodium Lauryl Sarcosinate instead).

 

Found this info on the web:

 

" Sodium lauryl sarcosinate is very similar to the lauryl sulfate class of detergents and surfactants. The sulfate group is replaced with the amino acid sarcosinic acid, and the ammonium group is replaced with a sodium atom.

 

The result is a detergent that is milder on the skin and oral membranes, and can be used in toothpastes without causing irritation of the gums. "

 

NB: Shampoos normally contain SLES (Sodium Laureth Sulphate), not SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulphate) which is stronger. But neither are ideal for your skin.

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I think I have cut SLS and SLES out of just about everything I use. I was particularly shocked when I found it in toothpaste. SLS is used in commercial floor cleaners and I certainly don't want it in my mouth!

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We've got it out of most things too and my eczema is tons better. SLS strips the protective coating from your skin/hair/gums, leaving it prone to irritation and bacteria attack.

 

We use Forever Living Aloe Vera tooth gel - it's brilliant and no more mouth ulcers!

 

We're also fans of Faith in Nature, Aveda, Green People and all other non-SLS products. Watch out - Ecover shower gel and hand soap contain it!!!!

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I am lucky as I don't seem to suffer any skin problems but OH is always moaning about his skin - AND he scrubs away merrily with his lotions and potions (I probably should not say this but I don't generally use soap or shower gel...I have always been a water and water girl - but I do like something in my bath).

 

Time to introduce him to some new products methinks - thanks everyone.

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I use SDS a type of SLS at work :shock:

 

We use it to denature proteins :shock: Basically it unfolds them at the concentration we use it at it is a very powerful detergent as well as a foaming agent :?

 

It is in cosmetics to produce the foam that people associate with the ability to work but at the low concentration I doubt it has much impact it really does not need to be there :roll: It does dry the skin if you are sensitive to it 8)

 

It is mainly used to seperate out layers of protein if you have ever seen a DNA profile on the TV where you have dark bands that is how it is done :wink: That requires a fraction of the strength I use it at :shock:

 

My advice is avoid it if possible as you can become sensitised to it :roll:

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I am wondering if SLS are the cause of my very sore and bleeding hands :(

I work in catering and we use all sorts of nasty chemicals to keep the place clean :? The handwash liquid soap is bactercidal.

 

I have just been sent home because my hands got worse today. they started to bleed along my knuckles. the skin is red raw and very painful. My fingers began to swell and I had to prise off my wedding ring :shock: Off to the doctors at 4pm.

 

I always use gloves when cleaning at home and work, and put cotton gloves on underneath. At work I wear cotton gloves underneath vynl gloves as the vynl gloves irritate my skin. I stopped using the bactercidal soap at work and took in Carex anti bacterial which has made not the slightest difference.

 

At home I use Dove soap etc. I have noticed that my skin in general is itchy and dry.

 

After a weekend off work the redness in my hands fade and the skin becomes scaley and flaky, within an hour or two back at work my hands are red, raw and sometimes bleeding :?:(

 

Anyway I'll have to see what the Doc has to say :roll:

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Ali your hands sound like mine :shock:

 

I have psorriasis (sp?) on the palms and knuckles and it can be so disabling :cry:

 

Get to the doctors before it gets out of control :?

 

Do you have occupational health at work :? If so go to them they can fast track you to treatment it will start with the usual petrochemical nonsense and trying to make you use steroids but you need to persevere as light therapy is the way to go I have bee on it for 10 weeks so far and the benefits are enormous but if you go through normal NHS it has a huge waiting list but occupational health can push you through the system as it is your hands and it affecting your ability to work :?

 

I still have a long way to go but it is much better than it was I avoid all of the emolients they prescribe for me as they contain alot of parafin which doesn't work for me it just suffocates my skin and makes it dryer I use a combination of Neutrogena which is glycerin rich but expensive and fruit and olive body butters and tea tree cream :roll:

 

I put a thin layer of tea tree cream on followed by a dollop of neutrogena and then a liberal coatiing of body butter and a pair of cotton gloves for an hour till it all soaks in I do this a couple of times during the day and just before I go to bed it really does help :wink:

 

get to your GP though then occupational health if you can as you need to get into the system fast 8)

 

are you coming to Alnwick :? If you are we can compare foosty hands :lol:

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Well I have 3 items (£££££,s :shock: )on my prescription. creams, handwash lotion (not sure that will be acceptiable at work :roll: ) and a high dosage steroid cream that I can only use for 1 week and must not be put on broken skin :? My knuckles are covered with broken skin.

 

Louise I didn't see your post before I went to the Doctors. I don't think Light therapy is available up here. Jack had terrible Acne when he was 10 and light therapy was only available in Glasgow or maybe Edinburgh, it could have moved North by now though.

 

I mentioned SLS,s but doctor hadn't heard of them. Tonight I will be ordering SLS free products to see if they make a difference.

 

Doctor said that if my hands haven't improved in 2 weeks he will refer me to the hospital.

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I had the same problem with my hands when I was younger and before I gave up SLS products - they cracked and bled all winter and then got infected :roll:

 

I was given steroid cream as a child, but it thins the skin, so it cleared up the eczema at the time, but left me with very thin, wrinkled and vulnerable skin.... in hindsight, I wouldn't have used it! :shock::?

 

I've now found a regime that suits... gentle exfoliation, aloe gel and aloe propolis cream from Forever Living and it works well.

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Trouble is Clare they won't give you alternative treatment until you have tried the Steroids :evil::evil::evil:

 

I don't use the steroids now even though I am supposed to because the light treatment is working but I haven't told them that :oops::lol:

 

The light treatment I am on Ali is at the old Royal in Edinburgh on Lauriston place it is a nightmare to get to though as there is no parking at all at the hospital :evil::evil::evil: The only car park was closed a few years ago and most of the parking nearby is residents only :roll:

 

It might be worth seeing if it is available privately near you if the NHS can't manage it as appointments are very short but have to happen twice a week :?

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