What is sodium lauryl sulfate, and how dangerous it is?

What is it so bad

In many cases, sodium lauryl sulfate - natural product (in fact the raw material for its production is coconut oil). However, its content in any detergent, whether it be a shower gel or toothpaste, is highly undesirable. But what's so harmful, most people do not know. Just harmful - and that's it. In addition shower gels and shaving foams sodium lauryl sulfate is contained in plastics, rubber, artificial tissues, and many other public products.

Yet its dangers, as a rule, speak only when used in direct contact with the skin or hair. The fact that this surfactant component which acts as oxidant, draining surface which touches (skin, hair), and for sufficiently long exposure penetrates and accumulates in the body.

To wash or not wash

Despite the fact that the negative impact of the oxidizing agent on the human body has repeatedly proved, sodium lauryl sulfate continues to be produced on a large scale, and it is still actively used in the production of detergents. This is due primarily to the cost of raw materials. The fact that the same shampoos without sodium lauryl sulfate are at times more expensive than those in which it is contained. After all, it is not enough to remove from the funds it needs something else to replace it. And substitute in any case can not be more harmful and certainly obliged to deal with the main task - to clean the surface with which the contact. These substances exist (including natural), but their cost makes cosmetics manufacturers or eliminate the use of the benefit of the same the SLA, or to raise the price of the final product. And what shampoo (gel paste) still choose - solves the consumer, and not everyone can afford natural and harmless products.

How not to harm

Among other things, the SLA has a number of positive qualities. Firstly, it is excellent foam (which is why modern detergents so economical). And secondly, it cleans. Perhaps, since this component is at least partially satisfy the consumer of it should not give up completely. At the moment, it proved negative impact of a long-term use. In other words, if a long time to use means which includes sodium lauryl sulphate, damage to the body is unavoidable. But if, say, hand soap and washed off quickly, he just did not have time to penetrate the skin and accumulate in the body. If you apply it is not constant, but only sometimes, while regular oiling hand moisturizer, or even no harm will not. It turns out that the use of such means is still possible, but not very often and not too long in contact with them.

What is the alternative

Many manufacturers of cosmetics are trying to replace this component softer counterparts. But most of them are just as harmful, just not as famous. It turns out that if the agent does not contain the SLA, it does not mean it natural or harmless to humans.