Sodium Lauryl Sulfate…

I found this really neat link to a database on cosmetic ingredients.  I’m looking forward to offering such new products as liquid soap, shampoo, conditioners, etc.  The trick is understanding what ingredients are what.  My goal is to find ingredients that work well together AND are naturally healthy for you.  Not all plants are good…Poison ivy for example REALLY does a number on me.

So to go back to the original title of this blog, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate doesn’t seem to be good for you. It is used in many products because:

1. It’s cheap
2. It foams really well
3. In the old days (WWII), glycerin was stripped from soap for ammunitions and other warfare uses and something had to take it’s place. (ta da! lucky us~)

There are articles on both sides all over the internet about this particular ingredient.  In the past few weeks, I’ve noticed the ingredient missing from items that had it before on grocery store shelves.  Have companies heard customer’s concerns and found new alternatives ~Or~  are they listed in a form you aren’t used to seeing it under?  Let’s truly hope for the former.

Just in case –> Check this link out as it not only lists testing done on the ingredients BUT they list other names it could be listed under. 

http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/ingredient.php?ingred_id=1171¬hanks=1

Also, here is another link that details how Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is made.

Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is derived from coconut oil, however, it is made by adding sulfuric acid (made from sulfur taken from direct mining or processing of low-grade ores such as coal and petroleum) followed by neutralization with sodium carbonate (a natural mineral).
Like all detergent and soaps, it removes oils from the skin, can cause skin irritation. and is also irritating to the eyes.

~AND~

The EUROPEAN UNION has strict regulation and our Cosmetics, Toiletries and Fragrance industry is fighting for the US NOT to adopt those standards! ref OrganicMonitor.com California is TRYING to establish sticter regulation but the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry steamrolled them.

http://www.dld123.com/q&a/index.php?cid=3752

Ok, so I don’t know if the steamrolled part is true…but if the EU doesn’t want them, there’s probably a really good reason why. If you went to the first link, it might give a clue.

Needless to say, SLS and it’s other labels will not be found in Dr. Flower’s Essentials’ products.