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Fitness & Well-Being

Safe shampoo?

Some answers about common shampoo ingredient, sodium coco sulfate.

By PlentyMag.comTue, Mar 24 2009 at 12:46 PM EST
 8

Q. I've heard that we should avoid sodium laurel sulfate in shampoo because it's toxic, so I buy shampoo that’s "SLS-free,” but now I’ve noticed that it contains something called sodium coco sulfate instead. Is this actually a better alternative or just an example of green-washing? – James, MI
 
A. You’re smart to wonder about this suspicious-sounding sodium coco sulfate—not only because your body is a temple, but also because we all vote (with our wallets) for better personal care product health standards every single time we make a purchase. With the Organic Consumers Association reporting that even supposedly “organic” body care lines often contain carcinogens, we know we’ve got miles to go before we sleep.
 
So let’s talk science. “SLS” can actually refer to two different, but similar-sounding chemicals—one of which is merely irritating and the other of which may be linked to cancer. Both are a type of surfactant, which are what allow shampoos and other detergents to suds up and clean really well, explains Sean Gray, senior analyst for the Environmental Working Group. For years, the most common surfactant was sodium laurel sulfate, or SLS. Unfortunately, it irritates lots of people’s skin, so companies started looking for ways to improve it. They started putting sodium laurel sulfate through a marvelous process whereby it becomes sodium laureth sulfate, which does the same job, but without irritating skin. That’s great, right?
 
Wrong. This marvelous process leaves behind two chemicals, ethylene oxide and 1, 4-dioxane, both of which are, you guessed it, carcinogens. Talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face. Anyway, both the skin irritation problems associated with sodium laurel sulfate and the potential cancer risks associated with sodium laureth sulfate (which can be called either SLS or SLES) have lead to a profusion of “SLS-free” and “SLES-free” shampoos and other sudsy products. Most of these new products use sodium coco sulfate as a replacement surfactant, which brings us, finally, to your question.
 
Actually, shampoo makers finally seem to have gotten it right this time. Sodium coco sulfate is a coconut derivative, and though it hasn’t been subjected to as much testing and scrutiny as have more widely-used ingredients, it does indeed seem to be a safer alternative to SLS. It’s less irritating than sodium laurel sulfate, but   doesn’t contain the cancerous byproducts of evil twin cousin sodium laureth sulfate, says Gray. So go ahead and lather up, without working yourself into a lather over SCS. Believe it or not, your shampoo sounds like a pretty safe option. Rub a dub dub, treehuggers in the tub.
 
Story by Sarah Schmidt. This article originally appeared in "Plenty" in December 2008.
 
Copyright Environ Press 2008
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Related Topics: Green Products, Healthy Living

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anonymous
Jean 07/07/2011 21:56 PM

These chemicals are not safe. They are one in the same, If you are looking for products that are totally free of chemicals. go to Dr.Joseph Mercola. com. He is from Illinois, and has created natual healthy products. His site also shows you what to look for in labels,

anonymous
NickiTay 11/13/2010 11:35 AM

I have color treated hair, so I need a sulfate shampoo to protect the color, and make it look glossy and shiney

People complain that sulfate free shampoos the lack of sudsy action, which sometimes happens with sulfate-free shampoo, but you can try the Shielo Color Protect Shampoo, which is sulfate free and it lathers up and is better than any sulfate free shampoo I have tried. Definitely best to make your hair look great while being sulfate and chemical free...

anonymous
Jennifer 11/09/2009 12:30 PM

You dont need either in your shampoo! It is only for lather ... the massaging of the scalp is what cleans.

Read the book "Curly Girl". It is not only for curls. It is for anyone who wants naturally healthy hair.

anonymous
Jodie Gardner, Scotland 09/27/2009 14:54 PM

Another great shampoo and conditioner is TIGI new Love Peace and the Planet range i just looked into alot of the ingredients and they look good. They are using sodium coco sulfate instead of sls and are paraben free also!

anonymous
Guest 05/24/2009 00:39 AM

To the poster before me, um, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Coco-Sulfate aren't exactly the same. While molecularly they may be similar, one is made from pure coconut oil while the other uses palm oil. Coconut is much more responsibly harvested than Palm, which is invading the habitats of all sorts of gorillas and things. So, not only is there a tree-huggery difference, but a pretty basic one too. :)

anonymous
Flynn 11/07/2009 18:43 PM

SLS and SCS have the same CAS number (151-21-3). That means they are not just "similar" chemically, they are _identical_ in every possible way. Coconut oil is also a habitat-destroyer (look for Malaysian coconut plantations + orang-utans), and no different in environmental impact than palm oil.

Sorry, but SCS is... a scam.,

anonymous
Anonymous 04/13/2009 22:39 PM

I accidently went to the Made from Earth skin care website when looking for something for my research paper, and it was one of the best accidents i ever had. I tried their Organic Tea & Protein Shampoo and loved it….It has a great scent and is gentle on my scalp. Compared to the $30-40i I used to spend on organic shampoo this is an even match at a cheaper price. Best for use to make your hair fuller and fresher….

anonymous
Anonymous 03/24/2009 10:09 AM

Sodium Laureth Sulfate is also derived from coconuts. SLS and SCS are the same chemical, but SCS is a diluted version. Do your research please.

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