See it in action
Sodium Laureth Sulfate – SLES
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is a surfactant commonly used in shampoos, bath gels and soaps. SLES is derived from coconuts and is milder than Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Description
Sodium Laureth Sulfate - SLES
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is a surfactant commonly used in shampoos, bath gels and soaps. SLES is derived from coconuts and is milder than Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Used primarily as a detergent cleansing agent. SLES considered gentle and effective when used in cosmetics products like facial or body cleansers and shampoos. Foam stability in the presence of soap is much improved over other surfactants as well.
Sodium laureth sulfate is NOT the same as sodium lauryl sulfate, despite the name similarity. SLES is a milder cleansing agent with a higher amount and different chemical structure of the fatty alcohols it contains.
The safety of sodium laureth sulfate has been reviewed by numerous industry experts and deemed safe as used.
This is a 70% liquid solution.
Usage Range: 1%-40%.
Use this batch calculator to help you determine exactly how much you need to use of this ingredient for your next batch.
Batch Calculator
Ingredients
- ↕ % 5.00
- ↕ % 3.00
- ↕ % 2.00
Product Suggestions
Additional Notes
These are only suggested usage rates. Each formulation is different and you must test in small batches to find the percentages that work best for you. Always start by mixing in a low percentage, then gradually add until you reach your desired result.
Technical
This carries a Skin Irritation Category 2, Serious Eye Irritation Category 2A, and Acute Aquatic Toxicity Category 2 classification (H315, H319, H401). Wear protective gloves, clothing, eye protection, and face protection when handling, and avoid release into the environment.
Product Profile
Physical characteristics and solubility
Liquid
Clear to Hazy
Yellowish
Slight
Soluble
6.5 – 7.5
1.04
3,000 cPs
Ingredients
Common and INCI names for your product label
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
SLES, Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate
Supplied as a 27–30% active solution in water (with <1% Sodium Sulfate) — no preservative system to declare. Milder than Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) due to its ethoxylated structure.
Storage & Shelf Life
How to keep this surfactant stable batch to batch
Airtight container, room temperature
1 Year
Keep Containers Closed
Keep containers tightly closed in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place. Once opened, reseal carefully and keep containers upright to prevent leakage.
Store Away From Incompatible Materials
Keep away from strong oxidizing agents.
Use Clean Tools
When measuring or transferring product, use clean utensils to prevent cross-contamination. Avoid reaching in with bare hands.
Test Before Scaling
Run a small batch first to confirm foam and cleansing performance in your specific formulation before committing to a full production run.
Quality & Compliance
Regulatory status at a glance
Skin Irritation 2, Eye Irritation 2A, Aquatic Toxicity 2
Health 2, Flammability/Fire 1, Physical/Reactivity 0
Acute Health Hazard
>100°C / 212°F
No component present at levels >0.1% is identified as carcinogenic by IARC, NTP, ACGIH, or OSHA. Readily biodegradable and not expected to bioaccumulate.
WARNING: This product can expose you to Ethylene Oxide and 1,4-Dioxane, chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and, in the case of Ethylene Oxide, birth defects or other reproductive harm. As with other ethoxylated ingredients, these are trace processing byproducts rather than intentionally added ingredients. For more information, visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
Disclaimer: The technical specifications above reflect standard production values and may vary slightly between batches. Always conduct your own small-batch testing and stability studies before scaling up to production.
-
Hello,
I am interested in purchasing a gallon of Sodium Laureth Sulfate. The description says it is a “70% liquid solution”. Does this mean that the concentration of SLES is 30%?
Thanks,
Matt-
Hi Matt, yes, that is correct, the solution is between 27 – 30% SLES, the rest being water. Its original form is a paste, and the manufacturer dilutes it for us, as that makes it easier to incorporate into formulas. Thank you
-
Rating & Review
There are no reviews yet.