Sodium Laureth Sulfate, also Sodium Lauryl Sulfate – What is this actually and how harmful is it for our skin and our health? The so-called laureth sulphate is a surfactant, i.e. a washing-active substance which binds dirt and also has a fat-dissolving effect. This tenside is contained in shampoo and shower gel, but also in toothpaste, soaps and detergents. It has a cleansing effect and also provides a good amount of foam. Sounds promising, right? Yes, but in this article you will learn about the health consequences.
Despite its good cleaning properties, Sodium Laureth Sulfate is known for its harmful properties. The chemical surfactants cause considerable damage to the skin barrier. Due to the aggressive tensides, the skin loses its basic greasiness and thus becomes susceptible to itching, dryness, flaking and various skin diseases.
Basically the skin barrier protects the skin from getting sick. It ensures that fungi and bacteria cannot penetrate. However, if the skin barrier is damaged by regular washing with products containing Sodium Laureth Sulfate, health can suffer greatly. But not only the skin, also our hair is damaged by the chemical ingredients. The hair has a natural layer of fat, which prevents the hair from becoming thin and brittle. This is also negatively influenced by the regular use of chemical shampoo. The surfactants have a strong degreasing effect and thus ensure above all that the scalp dries out. In addition, the scalp can become tense and flaky. The aggressive surfactants can attack not only the scalp but also the sensitive facial skin and irritate the eyes. It even goes so far that the lungs can be irritated by inhaling the chemical substances.
Besides the aggressive surfactants, there are other, gentler surfactants that are less harmful to skin and hair. These include for example the glycosides. When buying shampoo, shower gel, toothpaste, soap and detergent you should therefore pay attention to the ingredients on the back. As a rule, Laureth sulphates are also labelled as such and are therefore easy to recognise. As a rule, organic or natural products should not contain any toxic ingredients. In these, manufacturers rely on milder alternatives that are intended to protect both the environment and health. But even with natural products you should check whether they really contain only mild ingredients.
If Laureth toothpaste contains sulphate, this can lead to damage to the oral mucosa. The result is usually painful aphthae. One more reason to take a closer look at his toothpaste! If you already suffer from aphthae, the wrong ingredients could be responsible for this problem.
What happens through the chemical surfactants in the body?
The substance laureth sulphate releases dioxins into the skin, which are considered carcinogenic. These accumulate in the body and cause considerable damage over time. Our body basically tends to collect the harmful substances that arrive orally or through the skin and store them in the body instead of excreting them quickly. In addition, the substances can enter the liver for detoxification, which can damage the liver cells and ultimately lead to cancer.
Not only our nature, but especially your body will benefit if you give up all products containing Laureth Sulfate in the future and replace your existing products with natural ones. Highly recommended are the products of Hair-Ressource, which are 100% organic and natural. Highly recommended are the products of Hair-Ressource, which are 100% organic and natural. The choice is huge, so nowadays there is something for every taste. Instead of using conventional shampoos and shower gel, you can also try hair soap and body soap. Not only are they healthy, they also save a lot of packaging waste. A changeover from aggressive surfactants takes a while, however – so do not give up. The gentler alternatives are many times better for your health and you will see – they serve the same purpose.
