If you check the labels on your shampoo, conditioner, soaps and toothpaste, you may find sodium laureth sulfate is a common ingredient. This ingredient is a cleansing and foaming agent that has received attention for concerns regarding harmful effects. When you are pregnant, you must pay careful attention to the ingredients in skincare and hair products. However, the Environmental Protection Agency has declared sodium laureth sulfate a safe additive for use.
Regulation
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, American Cancer Society and the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association have all declared sodium laureth sulfate is safe for use, according to Dr. Jason Rubin, a physician with Belli Skincare. Also, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review states that sodium laureth sulfate is safe for use in a maximum concentration of up to 50 percent in a product. However, many products contain significantly less than this amount, according to Baby Center, which evaluated two baby shampoos and found they contained about 5 percent sodium laureth sulfate. This means that sodium laureth sulfate is safe for use in pregnancy, provided your skin does not become irritated as a result of using products that contain this ingredient.
Health Concerns
Health concerns over sodium laureth sulfate during pregnancy stem from a 2007 Environmental Working Group study. This nonprofit organization tests cosmetic products and ingredients for safety. The study found that some hair products that contain sodium laureth sulfate had trace amounts of 1,4-dioxane. This chemical is associated with claims of being a cancer-causing agent. It also can penetrate the skin. Although it has not been directly linked with causing birth defects, 1,4-dioxane is on the California Environmental Protection Agency's list of products suspected to cause birth defects.
Vacuum Process
While the sodium laureth sulfate converted into 1,4-dioxane could be potentially hazardous, companies may use a special vacuuming process that can reduce the risk for contaminants. However, it is difficult to determine if the product that has sodium laureth sulfate has undergone the vacuuming process.
Potential Side Effects
While sodium laureth sulfate is highly unlikely to cause cancer or other rumored side effects, it is possible to be sensitive to sodium laureth sulfate. Because sodium laureth sulfate is a detergent, it may irritate the skin and cause redness or dryness. While this should not be harmful to your baby, it may be difficult for you to deal with irritated skin while pregnant, because the medications you are allowed to use on your skin may be limited.
