Sodium lauryl sulfate is a strong detergent used in many beauty products including shampoo, soap and toothpaste. Some people experience irritation from using products that contain sodium lauryl sulfate, according to the National Health Information Centre. If you experience canker sores or dry, red skin, it may be caused by part of your daily cleansing routine. Try eliminating any products you use daily that contain sodium lauryl sulfate to see if you experience relief.
Canker Sores
MayoClinic.com reports that some people develop canker sores after using toothpastes that contain sodium lauryl sulfate. Canker sores are small ulcers that appear in your mouth, frequently on the gums. Canker sores do not form on the outside of your lips and mouth, but they can be painful and cause discomfort when you eat.
Toothpaste manufacturers put sodium lauryl sulfate in their products to generate the foaming effect you get when you brush your teeth. You can find toothpastes at any natural grocery store or pharmacy that do not contain sodium lauryl sulfate if you think your toothpaste is giving you canker sores.
Skin Irritation
A study performed at the University of California's School of Dermatology found that applying sodium lauryl sulfate to the face can cause skin irritation. According to the study, prolonged exposed to sodium lauryl sulfate compounds the negative effects the chemical has on your skin. Using products that contain sodium lauryl sulfate could result in skin dryness and redness.
If you experience skin dryness that you think maybe caused by sodium lauryl sulfate, read the ingredient labels on the products you use on your face. If you find sodium lauryl sulfate listed, try a product that doesn't include it. You can find beauty products that don't have sodium lauryl sulfate at most beauty and drug stores.
Respiratory Illness
Sodium lauryl sulfate is a powerful cleanser. The Natural Health Information Centre explain that sodium lauryl sulfate is used to degrease car engines. In 1982, eight employees at a hospital in Virginia became ill after the hospital's carpet was cleaned using a product that listed sodium lauryl sulfate as the active ingredient. Most of the sick employees experienced respiratory illness, such as coughing, while many also complained of headaches, sore throats and nausea.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention note that the carpet cleaner was not diluted properly, leading to the illnesses. After the carpets were steamed and vacuumed to remove the excess cleaning product, no new cases of illness were reported.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Canker Sores
- TheraBreath: Your Toothpaste May Be Giving You Canker Sores
- Natural Health Information Centre: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES). The Killers in your bathroom?
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Respiratory Illness Associated with Carpet Cleaning at a Hospital Clinic -- Virginia
- Pub Med: Long-term repetitive sodium lauryl sulfate-induced irritation of the skin: an in vivo study.
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