Sodium lauryl sulfate substitutes...any better?

[kingfisher]

I've noticed that shampoos that say they are SLS-free or "sulfate-free" often have ingredients such as sodium laureth sulfate or sodium lauroyl sarcosinate or sodium dodecyl sulfonate or the like high on the ingredient list.

These seem like detergents and/or foaming agents that are added in place of SLS. My question to the chemists or other knowledgeable people on the board is this: Are these things any better than the SLS? Do we have any information about how often these "substituted" substances also cause irritation, etc.?

 

[c0ry]

I've noticed that shampoos that say they are SLS-free or "sulfate-free" often have ingredients such as sodium laureth sulfate or sodium lauroyl sarcosinate or sodium dodecyl sulfonate or the like high on the ingredient list.

These seem like detergents and/or foaming agents that are added in place of SLS. My question to the chemists or other knowledgeable people on the board is this: Are these things any better than the SLS? Do we have any information about how often these "substituted" substances also cause irritation, etc.?

Not sure about all of those, but SLES (Sodium Laureth Sulfate) is a known irritant.

 

[Lusitano]

From cosmeticdatabase, sodium dodecyl sulfonate seems the less harmful of those you have described.

Also the following seem to be safe:

- SODIUM COCOYL GLUTAMATE
- SODIUM COCO-SULFATE
- SODIUM COCOYL SULFATE