Common Household Products Containing SLES
SLES 70% Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate is a high-performance anionic surfactant. It is effective at degreasing, emulsifying, wetting, and foaming up solutions. The surfactant properties of this chemical help reduce the surface tension of the product’s other components. Therefore, it functions admirably as a foaming agent.
SLES is not affected by hard water, easily dissolves in water, and is compatible with a wide variety of surfactants. It has a low potential to irritate the skin and the eyes, and it is biodegradable.
Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) is converted into sodium lauryl ethoxylate (SLES) through an ethoxylation process.
Ethoxylation is a process that involves reacting ethylene oxide with a chemical in order to make it less harsh. This process is widely used in the cosmetics industry for the production of surfactants.
Most commercial products have 30–70% SLES in their aqueous solution. Because SLES is both cheap and widely available, it is in high demand in the manufacturing industry.
By 2024, the SLES market is projected to be worth more than $1.5 billion. This expansion has been made possible by the rising demand for SLES in the global personal care industry.
Everyday Products Containing SLES
It is highly likely that you will find SLES in your home if you look under the kitchen sink or on the shelf that is located in the shower.
A crucial part of maintaining personal hygiene is regularly washing dirty clothes, dishes, and skin. Many cleaning products, including soaps, toothpastes, and laundry detergents, require the production of foam in order to activate the cleaning properties. This is where SLES pitches to perform.
It’s worth noting that the specific method of applying SLES may differ depending on the product and the manufacturer. The amount of SLES used in a product may also change based on the product’s intended concentration and the level of cleanliness required.
Below we look at the 7 most common products listing SLES as an ingredient.
Washing Powder
SLES is a multipurpose component that can make washing powder more successful at removing dirt and stains from garments, while also being compatible with other compounds and remain cost-effective for producers.
Because of its surfactant status, SLES can help lower the surface tension of water and facilitate the washing away of dirt and stains from fabric. It’s a powerful detergent that helps dissolve grease and filth in the washing machine so they rinse out more easily.
Building materials, enzymes, and perfumes are just some of the many different components that can be combined with SLES to create laundry detergent
Dish Washing Liquid
Because SLES is a surfactant, which helps to break down grease and grime and makes it easier to rinse them away, it is the ideal solution to use in the kitchen.
Soap and Shower Gel
Soap bars containing palm oil, which can be quite drying and cleaning if it accounts for more than 40% of the bar, are frequently produced using SLES.
Shaving Foam
Although its primary function is as a cleaner, SLES also has the ability to generate a large amount of foam. Because of this, it is a staple ingredient in many shaving foams. SLES could also be utilised because it emulsifies the fragrance oil into the shaving foam water.
Most, if not all, shower gels contain surfactants as their primary cleansing agent. The primary components of a shower gel are water, a surfactant, dyes, and fragrances. The SLES also acts as an emulsifier, making it simple to combine water and oil.
Shampoo
Unlike other surfactants and cleaning chemicals used in shampoo production, SLES is affordable, making it a popular choice among manufacturers. It’s a powerful cleanser that can aid in washing away grime, product buildup, and excess oils from the scalp and hair.
With the help of SLES, shampoo can be lathered up into a thick foam that can be more easily distributed throughout the hair. This can simplify the process of applying shampoo and increase the likelihood that it will reach the scalp and all areas of hair. SLES can be used with a variety of other shampoo ingredients, including conditioners, scents, and preservatives, without compromising the quality of the final product.
Creams and Lotions
Hand cream, face cream, sunscreen, eczema cream, eczema cream, body lotion, moisturising cream, anti-itch cream, and hair removal treatments are just some of the skin care products that contain SLES. The primary purpose of using these components in creams and lotions is to emulsify the components already present and to ensure that they remain blended together. Creams, which are primarily mixtures of water and oil, must be emulsified so that the two components do not separate.
Beauty Products
SLES is not typically used in the manufacturing of cosmetics; nevertheless, in some instances, it may be utilised in the manufacturing of specific makeup products such cleansers, facial washes, and exfoliants.
As a surfactant, SLES can aid in the removal of dirt, oils, and other impurities from the skin; as a foaming agent, it can assist the product spread evenly throughout the skin.
Chemi is one of the leading chemical suppliers in South Africa. Get in touch with our team for more information today.
