Bursting The Bubble On Surfactants

Surfactants are a necessary ingredient when it comes to having clean skin and hair. Surfactants are one of the known ingredients that can also cause dryness and skin irritation due to the nature of how they work. Surfactants is an abbreviation for Surface Active Tension Agent. They work by lowering the surface tension and allowing dirt and grease to be removed.

One of the most common surfactants used is Sodium Lauryl Sulphate. It is also the benchmark for irritancy for all other surfactants. Like the majority of surfactants available, Sodium Lauryl Sulphate is also is derived from a natural source…coconut. So it is a naturally derived ingredient.

Sodium Lauryl Sulphate is used because it is a very effective degreaser and is also dirt cheap to buy. You are looking at a commercial cost of about $3.00 AUS per kg to purchase versus some of the more natural surfactants which are $17.00 per kg.

Many companies use scare mongering to suggest that SLS causes cancer. Both the CTFA (Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association) and the American Cancer Council have stated this is nothing more than an urban myth, a view confirmed by toxicology research(1) The protest from natural and toxic free companies comes from the fact that SLS can be contaminated with 1,4 Dioxane, a probable human carcinogen.

Let’s however puts this in perspective. SLS contains parts per thousand to parts per million of 1,4 Dioxane. A very small percentage. A daily consumption of 1gram per day over a lifetime increases the risk of cancer to 1 in 3000.(2) You are unlikely to every accumulate a rate of 1gram per day. Such an intake would be correspond to eating litres of Sodium Lauryl Sulphate on a daily basis. Considering SLS is not meant for consumption this is an event that is unlikely to occur.

Even the Cosmetic Safety Data Base gives SLS a safety rating of 2 which is a mild risk.

http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/ingredient.php?ingred06=706110

There concern lies with animal studies which have shown possible detriment. You will know though if you have read my post on “Are Organic Cosmetics Better” that animal studies are not a reliable indicator of safety. There is not one human study showing detrimental effects besides skin irritation.

Cocamidopropyl Betaine which is a natural surfactant also derived from coconut has been shown to have human studies which show concern. It is rated as a moderate hazard, with a rating of 5. Yet we as mothers freely use these products on our children. Natural companies frequently use Cocamidopropyl Betaine and imply it is safe because it is natural. Cocamidopropyl Betaine is a known HUMAN (not animal) immune system toxicant. Yet you never see anyone maligning or saying it is BAD. Why is this so?

I will tell you the reason. It does not suit their agenda of what they are trying to sell you…So they only tell you what they want you to know. Ignorance is Bliss after all isn’t it.

The surfactant that is the best is the one you do not break out with a rash or get dry skin with. Happy hunting because that is different for every person. For me it is Sodium Lauryl Sarcosinate, one of the gentlest surfactants on the market.

References:
1. Rumour: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate Causes Cancer. The Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association. 13, October 2000.

2. 1,4 Dioxane. Hazard Summary Environmental Protection Agency. January 2000.