Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate are specific types of chemicals that are added to products used to clean the skin and the hair. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate help with the removal of dirt and oils from the skin and from the hair. In addition, Sodium Laureth Sulfate is often used as one of the ingredients in other cleaning products, such as detergents used to clean the bathroom or a car. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate can, in some cases, cause irritation to the skin and to the eyes. While Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is milder than Sodium Laureth Sulfate, both have been shown to cause this irritation.

There has been some speculation that Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate can cause cancer. However, the American Cancer Society has determined that neither Sodium Lauryl Sulfate nor Sodium Laureth Sulfate causes cancer. Here again, just because they are not cancerous does not mean that they are the best thing for your baby.

Having said all of that, the amounts of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate that are contained in normal cleansing products, such as baby shampoo, are probably technically considered to be “safe” for your baby. This does not mean, however, that it is always desirable to use these products. In fact, many parents choose to avoid Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate, especially if their little one tends to have especially sensitive skin.

The problem with trying to avoid Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate is that most shampoos, even baby shampoos, typically will contain either Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or Sodium Laureth Sulfate. Generally, at least with baby shampoos, it is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate rather than Sodium Laureth Sulfate. Fortunately, there are a variety of more natural products available for parents to use. These natural products very often have a variety of herbal ingredients that, in addition to helping your little one’s hair and skin get clean, can help to soothe them at bath time.

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