What can Sulfates do to your skin?

 

What is Sulfates (Sulphate)?

Sulfates like : Sodium Lauryl (Laureth) Sulfate (SLS) is currently the primary foaming agent of Western civilization. It is usually found in combination with cocamidopropyl betaine (cocabetaine) and diethanolalamine (DEA), which itself has fallen under scrutiny of late. SLS is found in shampoos, bath gels, car washes, dish detergents, bar "soaps", laundry detergents, etc. It is a wetting and dispersing agent, emulsifier, degreaser and foamer. It also increases skin permeability roughly 100 times and is used in lotions to increase absorption of micronutrients through the skin.

Sulfates have been known to cause irritation to people who have susceptible skin, such as those with eczema. If you do suffer from eczema then one thing you could try is switching to a sulfate free natural handmade soap.

List of sulfates you will find in all bathing products are listed below, from least irritating at number 1, to most irritating, at number 5:

1. Sodium Myreth Sulfate
2. TEA Laureth Sulfate
3. Sodium Laureth Sulfate
4. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
5. Ammonia Laureth Sulfate

Why Avoid Sulfates Bathing Products?

The most popular sulfate for use in bathing products is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. This is the best cleaning agent and one of the cheapest surfactants to manufacture. But a higher concentrated version of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is used to degrease engines. So if it can strip that grease off those car engines can you imagine what it does to strip from your hair and body? The answer is - All those natural oils from your body! This leads to dry and unhealthy skin.

Ever wonder why baby bathing products doesn’t sting your eyes but how painful a dollop of bathing products can be if it gets into your eyes? This is due to the sulfates in the shampoo.

There have been some studies that suggest long term exposure to sulfates can have damaging effects on our skin and hair. Although sulfates do a really good job of cleaning your hair, would you want to trade your own skin looking and feeling clean for a little while, before it goes dry, or do you use a sulphate free natural handmade soap which will not strip as much oil or even dry out your skin at the same time moisturising and nourishing your body with all the natural ingredient use in making handmade soap.

 Group of people that Should Avoid Sulfate Bathing Proudcts

• People with eczema and sensitive.
• Anyone with oily skin. This sounds counter intuitive. Surely someone with oily skin will want a product that strips the oil away. Unfortunately, the body will produce even more oil to replace that which has been lost. So avoiding sulfates would be a good plan for these you too.