SULFATES
What Are They:
Sulfate compounds (commonly called sulfates) are found in many personal
care products such as shampoo, toothpaste, shaving foam, body washes and
facial cleansers. In cleansers, they function as surfactants: water-
and oil-soluble compounds that, when combined with water, foam and
emulsify greasy substances.
How They Work:
“Sulfates are synthetic ingredients partially based on sulfur, which is
derived from petrolatum or other sources,” explains Yves Lanctôt, a
chemist and product consultant in Laval, Que. However, sulfates are not
just petrolatum-derived. The largest part of the molecule comes from
lauryl alcohol, which is derived from coconut oil or other plants. To
make sulfates, lauryl alcohol is reacted with sulfuric acid. Sulfur can
be found naturally on earth, but for manufacturing it’s generally
produced using petrolatum. They’re high foaming, which means that you don’t have to use very much to get a good lather.
The Bottom Line:
Lanctôt says that while SLS and SLES are not sensitizers—molecules that
cause allergic reactions—they are irritants
and in some people can
temporarily aggravate the skin, causing redness, dryness and itching. However, a by-product of SLES—the
compound 1,4-dioxane—“is a carcinogen,” says Marilyn Patterson, a
cosmetic chemist and owner
of Natural Cosmetic Solutions Inc. "Sulfates can also fade hair color and cause hair to become brittle,” says
Stephanie Binette, marketing director at L’Oréal Paris
Information courtesy of www.besthealthmag.ca
*Again, here at The Spa at the Mount Auburn Club we carry a variety of sulfate free options. For more information please stop by the desk or ask you Skin Therapist during your next treatment.
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