The ingredient, explained

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate has published research relevant to the stated experimental context.

CleansingDenaturantEmulsifyingFoamingSurfactant

Ingredient guide

What it is and what it does

Sodium lauryl sulfate, also called sodium dodecyl sulfate, is a cleansing surfactant. Its registry functions include foaming and emulsifying.

About this ingredient: CosIng identity and functions via Open Beauty Facts ↗ · European Commission ingredient function definitions ↗

Cleansing: Helps remove material from the body surface.
Denaturant: Makes a product unpalatable, often in alcohol-containing formulas.
Emulsifying: Helps liquids that do not normally mix form a mixture.
Foaming: Helps a liquid trap small gas bubbles as foam.
Surfactant: Changes surface tension to help a product distribute or interact with other materials.

Function definitions: European Commission ingredient function definitions (SCCNFP/0299/00, pages 16 to 20) ↗

Registry functions describe possible formulation roles, not results for a finished product. A dictionary entry is not an approval or a safety assessment.

A closer look

What the research shows

Research review

Combining alcohol irritants with sodium lauryl sulfate can intensify skin irritation compared with quantitatively identical single-irritant exposure.

What this does not tell us

The reviewed irritation models are safety evidence, not benefit trials or estimates for every cosmetic formulation.

Sources for this summary. PubMed 33063847 ↗

Research review checked Oct 1, 2026

Selective exact-identity review of 10 supplied local candidates and the targeted primary-source search recorded below. Bounded review, not a systematic search.