Sodium Lauryl Sulphate is one of the most common chemicals used in our cosmetics today. It is most commonly found in shampoo and bubble bath but it is also found in many skin care products too as well as toothpaste. So why should we be worried about it?

How Sodium Lauryl Sulphate Started out and the Problems it Causes

Many people find it hard to believe that Sodium Lauryl Sulphate started its life as an industrial degreasant and a garage floor cleaner. After all, why would a chemical be in our cosmetics if it was originally used to clean a garage floor? It makes no sense at all yet it is completely true. This means that when it is applied to the skin, it has the effect of stripping it of its natural oils. It also erodes away the skin and irritates it, leaving it pitted and rough.

Other effects Sodium Lauryl Sulphate has on the skin can include trouble with the heart, liver or brain. As drastic as this may sound, it can in some cases, be potentially dangerous. Due to the fact that Sodium Lauryl Sulphate has a low molecular weight, it means that it is easily absorbed into the body. It can then cause a build up in the heart, brain and liver, and due to that problems can occur. Whilst it does take a fair amount of Sodium Lauryl Sulphate to do that, it can still occur after frequent exposure to chemicals which contain the ingredient.

Another effect it has on the body includes the fact that it can cause dry, flaky skin. Finally, a scary fact that not many women realize, is that Sodium Lauryl Sulphate is in fact used in laboratories across the world, as a deliberate skin irritant. They use it to irritate the skin so that they can test products out on it. So, you have to question why a chemical that is used to actually irritate the skin is actually used in hundreds of cosmetics!

Unfortunately it is not always easy to avoid the chemical as not all companies list it under the name Sodium Lauryl Sulphate. The only way you can truly avoid it is by buying organic products; at least then your skin will be safe! Overall you can make your own mind up regarding the chemical but more and more women are choosing to avoid it and go natural just to be on the safe side!

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