Sodium+laureth+sulfate


 * Sodium laureth sulfate **, or ** sodium lauryl ether sulfate ** ( ** SLES ** ), is a [|detergent] and [|surfactant] found in many personal care products ( [|soaps] , [|shampoos] , [|toothpaste] etc.). SLES is an inexpensive and very effective [|foaming agent] . SLES, [|SLS] and [|ALS] are [|surfactants] that are used in many cosmetic products for their cleansing and emulsifying properties. They behave similarly to [|soap].

Chemical structure
Its chemical formula is [|C] [|H] 3(CH2)10CH2( [|O] CH2CH2)//n//O [|S] O3 [|Na]. Sometimes the number represented by //n// is specified in the name, for example laureth-2 sulfate. The product is heterogeneous in the number of ethoxyl groups, where //n// is the mean. It is common for commercial products for //n//= 3. SLES is prepared by [|ethoxylation] of [|dodecyl alcohol]. The resulting ethoxylate is converted to a [|half ester of sulfuric acid], which is [|neutralized] by conversion to the [|sodium] [|salt]. [|[1]] The related surfactant [|sodium lauryl sulfate] (also known as sodium dodecyl sulfate or SLS) is produced similarly, but without the ethoxylation step. SLS and [|ammonium lauryl sulfate] (ALS) are commonly used alternatives to SLES in consumer products.

Irritation
Although SLES is considered safe at the concentrations used in cosmetic products, it is an [|irritant] similar to other [|detergents], with the irritation increasing with concentration.SLES has been shown to produce eye or skin irritation in experimental animals and in some human test subjects.The related surfactant SLS is a [|known irritant] , and research suggests that SLES can also cause irritation after extended exposure in some people.

Carcinogenicity
Toxicology research by the U.S. [|OSHA], [|NTP] , and [|IARC] supports the conclusions of the [|Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association] (CTFA) and the [|American Cancer Society] that SLES is not a carcinogen