Sulfates (SLS/SLES) in cosmetics: why it's flagged
Short answer
Sulfates (SLS/SLES) is flagged by Olive Detective as a low concern in cosmetics. Surfactant; can strip and irritate skin (SLES may carry 1,4-dioxane). The flag is class-level and precautionary, based on EWG / CIR review — it describes the ingredient class, not the safety of any particular product.
What the concern is
- Irritant — can irritate skin, eyes or the respiratory tract.
How it appears on an INCI list
Cosmetic labels use INCI names, which are standardised worldwide, so the same wording appears on a product bought anywhere. This class is matched on sodium laureth sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate, ammonium laureth sulfate.
How it affects the score
Cosmetic scoring follows the Yuka method: a product with only green and yellow ingredients has its score floored at 50, any orange ingredient caps it below 50, and any red caps it below 25. This ingredient is yellow, so it does not cap a product's score by itself.
Source: EWG / CIR review
Other cosmetic ingredients we flag
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