SLS stands for Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, and it is a chemical that has been used in the production of toothpaste and other products since the 1930s. The reason SLS was originally so popular is because it made cleaning products work more effectively, but now there are a number of different chemicals which can do the same job without causing any health risks. In this article We’re going to explain what SLS is, and why it's important to avoid SLS in toothpaste.
What is SLS?
SLS is what's commonly known as a “surfactant.” This means that it reduces the surface tension between ingredients, which is why it's utilised as a cleansing and foaming agent to keep your teeth clean. It's what causes your toothpaste to foam up in your mouth.
Companies love SLS because it is inexpensive and produces the bubbles that you have been conditioned to love —you know, the ones that make you think your toothpaste is functioning perfectly.
However, it is not the bubbles that clean your teeth! SLS bubbles are simply for show—they're staged distractions. SLS serves no purpose other than to lather into bubbles, and it is unnecessary in toothpaste. In fact, it may be dangerous to your oral health.
Where is SLS Used and Why
Many of the products that we use on a daily basis contain Sodium Lauryl sulphate. Checking the labels of things in your cupboards and cabinets will most likely reveal that many of them contain SLS. Although the use of SLS in certain products makes sense, there may be questions about its usage in others.
The following are some of the most frequent SLS-containing products:
- Hair and Beauty Products like hair dye, make-up remover, shampoo, hair gel, conditioner, foundation, and hair-removal products
- Toiletries like hand sanitizer, hand soap, shaving cream, shower gel, body wash, facial cleansers, exfoliants, bubble bath, and bath salts, sunscreen
- Oral Hygiene Products such as mouthwash, at-home whitening kits, and toothpaste (but you knew about that one already)
- Skincare Products like anti-itch creams, moisturising hand creams, and face masks
SLS can be used as an emulsifier to help thicken and stabilise solutions, giving them a more uniform texture, in addition to being utilised as a surfactant for foaming and removing debris. Furthermore, because of its inexpensive price, it is commonly found in traditional toothpastes and other mass-produced items.
Why Shouldn't You Use SLS in Your Toothpaste?
While the American Dental Association has deemed Sodium Lauryl sulphate acceptable for use as a food additive, and fears about it being a carcinogen have been dispelled, you may want to reconsider allowing it into certain products, particularly toothpaste due to its following effects :-
SLS contributes to canker sores.
If you are prone to canker sores, also known as aphthous ulcers, which are little irritating lesions that form on the soft tissues inside your mouth (not to be confused with cold sores! ), you should avoid any SLS products. This strange trick will help you avoid future explosions.
SLS inhibits wound healing.
SLS inhibits fibroblasts, which are connective tissue cells that are crucial to the framework of your tissues and are critical for wound healing. If you recently had a tooth extracted, for example, you don't want SLS near the site because it slows fibroblasts and the rate of wound healing.
DRYING PROPERTIES
SLS can be particularly drying to the skin because it wicks away impurities and oils. This causes oral problems because it inhibits saliva production. As a result, there is concern over a possible link to gum disease, as proper saliva production is crucial for washing the mouth of harmful germs that may accumulate on the teeth and gums.
NOT CRUELTY-FREE
If you're one of the many people who favour cruelty-free substances, you might be interested to know that SLS has also been tested on animals. It is not vegan-friendly in this sense.
Can Toothpaste Be SLS Free?
Absolutely. The market has shifted in favour of consumers who want chemical-free products, and toothpaste is undoubtedly one of them.
It is possible to locate a toothpaste that does not include SLS and nevertheless cleans and protects your teeth properly.
Toothpaste products achieve this by replacing SLS with more natural ingredients. Due to the lack of a surfactant ( SLS ), you may notice less foaming in these more natural choices, but the performance of these toothpastes can be fairly comparable, without the extra gum irritation that can occur when using SLS toothpaste.
Daylee’s Premium Natural Toothpastes are excellent alternatives to SLS toothpaste.
Here are a few more features that set our toothpaste apart from the competition, all while remaining vegan and SLS-free:
- Teeth Whitening
- Cavity Prevention and Enamel Health
- Sensitivity Relief
- Double Antioxidant Complex: Vitamin C, Vitamin E
- Botanical Extracts for pain reduction, fresh breath, gum hydration and soothing
You can see from this list that a toothpaste can have all the high-quality ingredients needed to support your oral care routine, without the unnecessary addition of SLS.
A Final Word
SLS is a surfactant that increases bitter tastes while inhibiting pleasant ones, causing everything to taste terrible. Furthermore, SLS has been related to poor dental health, which can lead to a variety of health problems in the long run. Because your mouth is the doorway to your overall health, taking care of it by avoiding hazardous chemicals like SLS is your first line of defence in preventive care. Take care of yourself and avoid completely avoidable ailments by going for a more effective and safe toothpaste from an awesome company like Daylee.
Here at Daylee, we never use SLS, PEGs, parabens, sugar, carrageenan, triclosan, sulphates, or alcohol. We only use what you need for good oral hygiene, and nothing more.
For a cleaner paste with a better taste, backed by science, research, and the dental industry, you need to brush those pearly whites with Daylee !
Happy Brushing !!!
Sources:
https://www.webmd.com/beauty/what-to-know-sls
https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/what-is-sodium-lauryl-sulphate
https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredients/706110-SODIUM_LAURYL_sulphate/
https://www.cleaninginstitute.org/industry-priorities/policy/other-issues/sodium-lauryl-sulphate -sls
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4651417/