Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate (SLES) is an anionic surfactant widely used in cosmetic and personal care formulations for its cleansing, foaming and surface-active properties. It is commonly incorporated into shampoos, body washes, liquid hand washes, shower gels and other rinse-off cleansing products.
Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate helps remove excess oil, dirt and residues from skin and hair. Its surfactant properties support the formation of foam and help disperse oily impurities in water-based cleansing systems. Depending on the commercial grade, it can be used as a primary cleansing ingredient or combined with other surfactants to adjust foam quality, viscosity and overall product performance.
Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate is another commonly used name for Sodium Laureth Sulfate. Both names are associated with SLES in commercial and cosmetic ingredient documentation. The ingredient is produced by ethoxylating fatty alcohols, sulfating the resulting material and neutralising it with sodium.
Commercial grades differ in active surfactant content, ethoxylation profile, salt content, unsulfated matter and physical form. These characteristics affect processing, cleansing performance and compatibility with other formulation ingredients. Manufacturers should select the grade based on its technical documentation and the requirements of the finished product.
Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate is an anionic surfactant belonging to the alkyl ether sulfate family. It is commonly abbreviated as SLES and is used in cleansing formulations that require effective soil removal and foam formation.
The ingredient is commonly supplied as an aqueous liquid or a concentrated paste, depending on its active matter and commercial grade. Concentrated grades can reduce the amount of water transported with the raw material, while lower-active grades may be more convenient for certain manufacturing processes.
Product Name: Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate
Common Abbreviation: SLES
INCI Name: Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Ingredient Category: Anionic surfactant
Origin: Depends on the fatty alcohol feedstock and manufacturing route
Primary Cosmetic Functions: Cleansing and foaming
Additional Function: Emulsifying support in suitable formulations
Main Applications: Shampoos, body washes, hand washes, shower gels and bubble baths
SLES helps remove excess sebum, dirt and other residues from skin and hair. It is widely used in rinse-off products where cleansing performance is important.
The ingredient supports foam generation during washing. Foam volume, density and stability depend on the active matter, formulation composition, water quality and other surfactants present.
Its surfactant structure helps disperse oily materials and impurities, allowing them to be removed during rinsing.
SLES can be incorporated into shampoos, body washes, liquid hand washes and other compatible cleansing products.
When appropriately formulated, SLES can be combined with amphoteric and nonionic surfactants to modify foam characteristics, cleansing performance and sensory properties.
The viscosity of suitable SLES-based systems can be adjusted through formulation design, salt addition and the selection of complementary surfactants. The final response must be established through laboratory testing.
Different active-matter grades provide formulators with options for concentrated systems and ready-to-process cleansing bases. Grade selection should be based on production requirements and the supplier's specifications.
These benefits describe potential ingredient functions. Finished-product performance depends on the selected grade, concentration and complete formulation.
SLES is widely used in shampoos to cleanse the scalp and hair while generating foam. It can be combined with conditioning agents and complementary surfactants to achieve the desired cleansing level, viscosity and hair feel.
In body washes and shower gels, SLES helps remove surface impurities and supports foam formation. The complete formulation should be designed to provide suitable cleansing while minimising irritation under intended use conditions.
SLES can serve as a cleansing surfactant in liquid hand washes. The appropriate concentration and surfactant combination depend on the intended frequency of use and the finished product's skin-contact characteristics.
Selected grades may be evaluated in facial cleansers. Formulators should assess the entire surfactant system for cleansing performance, skin compatibility and irritation potential.
SLES may be used in bubble bath formulations to support foam generation and cleansing. Performance depends on the surfactant blend, water conditions and overall formulation design.
The ingredient can be considered for other suitable rinse-off personal-care products requiring anionic surfactant activity. The grade must be appropriate for the intended application.
SLES can be incorporated into surfactant blends used as the foundation for cleansing products. Compatibility testing helps determine the appropriate combination of active matter, foam boosters, viscosity modifiers and other formulation ingredients.
When evaluating Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate from Swapnroop, cosmetic manufacturers should confirm that the selected grade meets their formulation and manufacturing requirements.
Key procurement considerations include:
Request the relevant technical documentation before selecting the ingredient for commercial production.
Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate is a widely used surfactant for cosmetic and personal care cleansing formulations. Its cleansing and foaming properties make it suitable for a range of rinse-off products when the correct grade and concentration are selected.
For cosmetic ingredient procurement and formulation development in India, confirm the commercial grade, active matter, applicable quality specifications and availability before incorporating SLES into a manufacturing process.
Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate is an anionic surfactant commonly abbreviated as SLES. It is used in cosmetic and personal care products for cleansing and foaming.
Its commonly used cosmetic INCI name is Sodium Laureth Sulfate.
CAS 68585-34-2 and 9004-82-4 are among the identifiers reported for commercial SLES materials. Other identifiers are also used in ingredient databases. Confirm the correct CAS number against the selected grade's documentation.
It is used primarily for cleansing and foam formation in shampoos, body washes, liquid hand washes, shower gels and other compatible rinse-off products.
SLES contains ethoxylated units, while Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) does not. Their formulation properties and irritation profiles may differ, and the effect of either ingredient depends on concentration and the finished formulation.
Commercial SLES products are commonly available in concentrated grades around 70% active matter. Actual concentration and acceptance limits must be confirmed from the selected grade's TDS and COA.
Yes. Suitable grades are commonly used in shampoos, body washes and shower gels. Formulation compatibility and finished-product performance should be evaluated before production.
The recommended amount depends on the grade's active matter and the desired finished-product performance. Calculate the dosage based on active content and validate it through formulation testing.
Suitability depends on concentration, exposure and the complete formulation. SLES can cause skin or eye irritation, so the finished product should be evaluated and formulated to be non-irritating for its intended use.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | colourless liquid |