What Is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)?
In plain English: Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is a strong, high-foaming anionic surfactant used in toothpaste, shampoo, dish soap and many household cleaners. It's a well-documented skin and eye irritant for some people — but, contrary to viral posts, it is not a proven carcinogen.
Also listed as: SLS, sodium dodecyl sulfate, sodium monododecyl sulfate
The honest science
In short: SLS is well-studied, effective at foaming and cutting grease, and a well-documented skin/eye irritant at higher concentrations — but, despite a persistent online myth, it is not a proven carcinogen. 12 That confusion usually comes from mixing SLS up with a different ingredient, SLES. Our full guide below walks through the irritation data, the cancer myth, and where SLS hides in your home in plain-English detail.
Where you'll find it
- toothpaste
- shampoo
- dish soap
- some surface cleaners
The safer-swap angle: If SLS leaves your hands dry or your mouth raw, gentler sugar-based surfactants clean well without the strip.
→ Read the full deep-dive guide on Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
Frequently asked questions
Does SLS cause cancer?
No. A peer-reviewed toxicology review found no evidence that SLS is a carcinogen, and EWG rates it low-hazard overall. The cancer claim is a persistent online myth, often from confusing SLS with the ethoxylated ingredient SLES.
Sources
- SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE — EWG Skin Deep — Environmental Working Group
- Human and Environmental Toxicity of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS): Evidence for Safe Use in Household Cleaning Products — PMC / Environmental Health Insights
Ingredient safety data changes as new research is published, and product formulas change over time. Always read the current label and check primary sources.
Related terms
Clean you can actually read
We built the cleaner we wished existed: one plant-based concentrate that makes 100+ spray bottles, with every ingredient named on the label — no artificial scents, no synthetic chemicals. Family-safe, pet-safe, planet-safe.
Shop the Pure Serenity Kit — $69 See every ingredient we use
#cleanwithlove #ecolosophy #nontoxichome #detoxyourlife #plantbasedliving