Information File   –  Sulphate Concerns

Sulphates = English spelling     Sulfates = American English Spelling

What are Sulphates?

You can find sulphate compounds like SLS and SLES in a variety of consumer products, including:

  • Laundry detergent
  • Dish detergent
  • Liquid hand soap
  • Shampoo
  • Toothpaste
  • Face cleansers
  • Bath bombs

Sulphates in consumer products are considered surfactants – or detergents – because they bind to oil, fat, grease, and dirt, removing them from the surface. Sulphates also produce a lather, which makes them appealing as ingredients in shampoo and soap.

Check your product labels!

Health Effects of Sulphates

Firstly the FDA in particular regard sulphates used in low levels as safe.

Sodium laureth sulphate, Sodium lauryl sulphate and Ammonium lauryl sulphate (SLS, SLES and ALS), among others. – These compounds are produced from petroleum and plant sources such as coconut and palm oil.

SLS and SLES can irritate eyes, skin, and lungs, especially with long-term use. SLES may also be contaminated with a substance called 1,4-dioxane, which is known to cause cancer in laboratory animals. This contamination occurs during the manufacturing process.

The highest risk of using products with SLS and SLES is irritation to your eyes, skin, mouth, and lungs. For people with sensitive skin, sulphates may also clog pores and cause acne

Sodium lauryl sulphate is considered one of the more sensitising cleansing agents and we recommend avoiding it when it is high up on the ingredient list.

The Environment:

Palm oil is controversial due to the destruction of tropical rainforests for palm tree plantations. Products with sulphates that get washed down the drain may also be toxic to aquatic animals.
Many people and manufacturers opt for more environmentally friendly alternatives.

Animal testing:

At some point in history nearly all chemicals used in cosmetics have been tested on animals. Many products with sulphates are tested on animals to measure the level of irritation to people’s skin, lungs, and eyes. For this reason, many oppose using consumer products that contain SLS and SLES.

Price of your product

One of the main reasons SLS’s are used is because they are cheap.

To replace sulphates you may find :-

  • sodium lauryl sulfoacetate,
  • disodium laureth sulfosuccinate,
  • sodium lauroyl sarcosinate,
  • cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine,
  • sodium cocoyl isethionate,
  • cocamidopropylamine oxide,
  • sodium methyl 2-sulfolaurate.

Compare our Shampoo ingredients to a competitors. Look at the difference!

Well known Competitor Dog Shampoo  *

Aqua

Sodium Laureth Sulfate **

Glycerin

Cocamidopropyl Betaine

Coco-Glucoside

Parfum

Glyceryl Oleate

Polyglyceryl-2 Caprate

Glycol Distearate

Benzophenone-4

Sodium Hydroxide

Citric Acid

Laureth-4

Alpha Isomethyl Ionone

Citronellol **
Cinnamyl Alcohol

Coumarin **

Linalool

Lactic Acid

Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate

Tocopherol

Phenoxyethanol

Sodium Benzoate

CI 17200

** Known skin irritants especially if you have sensitive skin and we would suggest a complete no for our furry friends.

* Interestingly I randomly picked a hand wash soap , it contained exactly these ingredients

Our Aloe Vera Dog Shampoo

Aqua >50%

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice* 25-50%

Decyl Glucoside 5-10%

Lauryl Glucoside 5-10%

Xanthan Gum 1-5%

Potassium Sorbate 0.5-1%

Sodium Benzoate 0.5-1%

Melaluca alternifolia (Tea Tree Oil)

Citric Acid 0.1-0.5%

This is why Us Them and U choose not to use certain ingredients in our products.

 

 

Last Updated 14/3/25