What is Sodium Laureth Sulfate?
Chemically, Sodium Laureth Sulfate is a cleansing surfactant. A milder ethoxylated cousin of SLS, rated 3/5. Primarily used in rinse-off cleansers.
You may see it on labels as Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sles, so it can hide under more than one name in an ingredient list.
Where Sodium Laureth Sulfate shows up
Sodium Laureth Sulfate is commonly formulated into facial cleansers, body washes, and shampoos. Separately from clogging, its irritancy is rated 2/5 — low, so it's unlikely to sting or sensitise on its own.
Is Sodium Laureth Sulfate bad for acne-prone skin?
A moderate rating means Sodium Laureth Sulfate clogs some people and not others. If you're prone to congestion, patch-test a product that features it prominently before committing.
Non-comedogenic alternatives
If you're avoiding Sodium Laureth Sulfate, these lower-risk ingredients serve a similar role and are gentler on pore-prone skin:
- Squalane — rated 1/5 (Low risk).
- Niacinamide — rated 0/5 (Low risk).