Question: Why do our shampoos, toothpastes, soaps, and shower gels include the component sodium laureth sulfate? I have heard that this substance is quite harsh on skin.

Aleksandr Kazanskiy, Faberlic senior technologist, answering.


The Expert’s Answer: In our products, just as in other companies’ products, this substance is present in regulated quantities that are established by legislation and safe for your health. We follow strict production standards and product certification.

SLES is a time-tested ingredient. For several decades now, 90% of the population uses cosmetic products with SLES every day. What's more, all international brands add this ingredient to their products. SLES is not included in the Annex II inventory of hazardous substances (addendum to the Rotterdam Convention), and is therefore harmless.

Just like ANY surface-active substance (surfactant; meaning any substance with “washing” properties), pure sodium laureth sulfate dissolves cell membranes upon prolonged contact with skin. That's why it's used in products that are rinsed off with water: shampoos, foams, etc. There is only a small concentration of sodium laureth sulfate in these products, which provides a good cleansing effect while also being safe for the skin.


Also, ingredients that balance out the effect of this substance and soften the formula are always included alongside SLES. Therefore, there is no reason to consider the irritant effect of pure SLES, as such a solution is never used in cosmetics. You need to consider the final composition, including all surfactants and additional components. A correctly formulated product will always meet safety requirements and be gentle on skin.


A product that includes harmful substances or with excessively high concentrations of substances simply will not pass certification (government registration) and the sale of such products will not be permitted in Russia or in any other country. There is an alternative to shampoos with SLES: folk remedies like ash, egg yolks, and the like. If you’re looking for a cleansing product without surfactants, there is one: water. But thoroughly cleansing skin and hair is impossible with water alone. All Faberlic shampoos have a Ph of 6.