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Data: Limited

Sodium Laureth Sulfate

  • This ingredient’s score is higher if used in products intended for use around the eyes due to increased risk of absorption.
  • Products with this ingredient are allowed for use in EWG VERIFIED but must meet use restrictions and warnings based on EWG review of company data.
  • This ingredient’s score is higher if used in products that are inhalable (e.g., sprays, powders) because of respiratory concerns.
  • Products with the EWG VERIFIED mark have met the program’s impurity and use restrictions based on EWG's review of the company's data.

IMAGE SOURCE: PubChem

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Other Concerns

Use restrictions (low), Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (moderate), and Contamination concerns (high)

SYNONYMS

● ALPHA-SULFO-OMEGA-(DODECYLOXY)POLY(OXY-1,2-ETHANEDIYL), SODIUM SALT
● DODECYL SODIUM SULFATE
● PEG-(1-4) LAURYL ETHER SULFATE, SODIUM SALT
● POLY(OXY-1,2-ETHANEDIYL), .ALPHA.-SULFO-.OMEGA.-(DODECYLOXY)-, SODIUM SALT
● POLY(OXY-1,2-ETHANEDIYL),A -SULFO-W (DODECYLOXY)-, SODIUM SALT
● POLY(OXY1,2ETHANEDIYL), αSULFOω(DODECYLOXY), SODIUM SALT
● POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL (1-4) LAURYL ETHER SULFATE, SODIUM SALT
● POLYOXYETHYLENE (1-4) LAURYL ETHER SULFATE , SODIUM SALT
● SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE
● SODIUM PEG LAURYL ETHER SULFATE
● SODIUM POLYOXYETHYLENE LAURYL ETHER SULFATE
● SODIUM POLYOXYETHYLENE LAURYL SULFATE
● SODIUM SALT PEG-(1-4) LAURYL ETHER SULFATE
● SODIUM SALT POLY(OXY-1,2-ETHANEDIYL),A -SULFO-W (DODECYLOXY)-
● SODIUM SALT POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL (1-4) LAURYL ETHER SULFATE
● SODIUM SALT POLYOXYETHYLENE (1-4) LAURYL ETHER SULFATE

Restricted

Restricted: EWG VERIFIED products cannot contain this ingredient without adequate substantiation


Sodium Laureth Sulfate is and ingredient derived from ethoxylated lauryl alcohol and used as a surfactant; may be contaminated with potentially toxic manufacturing impurities such as 1,4-dioxane.

Common concerns

See how this product scores for common concerns.

  • LOW
    Cancer
  • LOW
    Allergies & Immunotoxicity
  • LOW
    Developmental and Reproductive Toxicity
  • LOW
    Use Restrictions

Ingredient concerns

  • CONCERNS
  • DATA SOURCES

Products with this Ingredient

Expand content Collapse content
shampoo687 products
body wash/cleanser509 products
liquid hand soap351 products
conditioner122 products
facial cleanser113 products
bubble bath67 products
mascara62 products
exfoliant/scrub55 products
bath oil/salts/soak38 products
eye liner30 products
hair color and bleaching27 products
bar soap25 products
baby shampoo12 products
shaving cream11 products
baby soap10 products
moisturizer8 products
hair treatment/serum6 products
baby bubble bath6 products
bronzer/highlighter6 products
beard cleanser5 products
brow liner4 products
mask4 products
styling mousse/foam3 products
hair styling aide3 products
makeup primer3 products
anti-aging3 products
shaving cream (men's)2 products
2 products
serums & essences2 products
eyelash glue2 products
lip gloss2 products
makeup removing wipes2 products
eye makeup remover2 products
detangler1 products
nail glue1 products
beard care1 products
facial moisturizer/treatment1 products
hair spray1 products
antiperspirant/deodorant (men's)1 products
foot odor control1 products
vapor rubs1 products
lip balm1 products
daily use with SPF1 products
antiperspirant/deodorant1 products
styling gel/lotion1 products
mouthwash1 products
foot cleansing1 products

Contamination concerns

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Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Human any irritant - strong evidenceCosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments

Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Classified as expected to be toxic or harmfulEnvironment Canada Domestic Substance List

Use restrictions

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Determined safe for use in cosmetics, subject to concentration or use limitations - Safe for use in cosmetics with some qualificationsCosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments

Data gaps

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Risk assessment method deficiencies and data gaps - Maximum reported "as used" concentration is basis of safety assessment by industry safety panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) - implicit safe concentration limit in productCosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments
54 studies in PubMed science library may include information on the toxicity of this chemicalNLM PubMed

Informational

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Industry or government recommendations for safe use: restrictions on concentration, impurities, product types, or manufacturing methods - anyCosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments
  • CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review). 2006. CIR Compendium, containing abstracts, discussions, and conclusions of CIR cosmetic ingredient safety assessments. Washington DC.
  • EC (Environment Canada). 2008. Domestic Substances List Categorization. Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) Environmental Registry.
  • NLM (National Library of Medicine). 2012. PubMed online scientific bibliography data. http://www.pubmed.gov.

Understanding scores

Cosmetics and personal care products are not required to be tested for safety before being allowed on the market. The Skin Deep® scoring system was designed to help the public understand whether a product is safe to use or whether it contains ingredients of concern.

Every product and ingredient in Skin Deep gets a two-part score – one for hazard and one for data availability. The safest products score well by both measures, with a low hazard rating and a fair or better data availability rating.

HOW WE DETERMINE SCORES

Hazard score

The Skin Deep ingredient hazard score, from 1 to 10, reflects known and suspected hazards linked to the ingredients. The EWG VERIFIED® mark means a product meets EWG’s strictest criteria for transparency and health.

Score legend

Data availability

The Skin Deep data availability rating reflects the number of scientific studies about the product or ingredient in the published scientific literature.

NONE LIMITED FAIR GOOD ROBUST
Low Availability
Moderate Availability
High Availability

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