Why is sulfate bad

These compounds are produced from petroleum and plant sources such as coconut and palm oil. Sulfates derived from petroleum are often controversial due to their origin. The biggest concern is the long-term side effects of sulfate production. Petroleum products are associated with climate change, pollution, and greenhouse gases.

Sulfates can also be found in some plant products. It can range from small amounts to almost 50 percent of the product. Some sulfates occur naturally and are found in water.

Along with other salts and minerals, they help improve the taste of drinking water. Others are found in fertilizers, fungicides, and pesticides. Learn more about SLS ». These chemicals may slowly build up in your body over long-term use, but the amounts are small. For people with sensitive skin, sulfates may also clog pores and cause acne. But the longer the products stay in contact with your skin or eyes, the higher the risk of irritation.

Rinsing off the product immediately after use reduces risk of irritation. The concentration of SLS in cleaning products may be higher. As with many cleaning products, whether SLS-free or not, prolonged exposure and skin contact to high concentrations can cause irritation. Remember to keep windows open or have a source of ventilation to prevent lung irritation. Going sulfate-free depends on your concerns. How sulfate affects your skin may also depend on the brand and manufacturer.

Not all sources are the same. For cleaning skin and hair: Opt for solid and oil-based soaps and shampoos rather than liquid. Some products to consider include African black soap and body cleansing oils.

Sign Up for Newsletter. Create an Account Back. Forgot Password. Please enter your email address below to receive a password reset link. Submit Back. Posted: 03 February What are sulphates and what are they used for? Why do sulphates get a bad press? In which case s should sulphates be avoided? Organic cosmetics and sulphates Sulphates are present in rinse-off products, not intended to remain on the skin, which limits the risk of irritation. The use of sulfates at Cattier Thanks to its expertise and know-how for over 50 years, Cattier takes advantage of the excellent properties of sulphates by combining them with "softer" foaming agents and moisturizing, nourishing and soothing agents such as Aloe Vera, wheat protein or honey.

Tips to follow daily Correctly dosed and well combined, sulphates lose their irritating power and become harmless to the skin while retaining their strong cleansing power.

Here are a few tips to be applied daily: - Avoid overexposure: at low doses, the impact of sulphate is insignificant but because it is present in many household products and beauty products, it is important to avoid overexposure. Recent Posts. New clay care products, eco-friendly packaging.

Taking care of yourself in summer. Eco-responsible reflexes on holiday. How do organic sunscreens work? How do you prepare your skin for the sun? August July June May April From a chemical perspective, sulfates are surfactants. Their job is to reduce the level of surface tension between your shampoo and your skin, allowing the active ingredients in the shampoo to do a more effective job of cleaning dirt, oil and dead skin from your scalp and hair. Sulfates are found in a variety of products, from shampoo to dish liquid and laundry detergent.

When used in shampoo, ingredients like sodium lauryl sulfate essentially amplify the effects of the shampoo, allowing it to strip away more of the things that make your hair oily and uncomfortable. This is both good and bad. Over the years, there have been persistent rumors that sulfates including sodium lauryl sulfate, the most common sulfate in hair products can potentially cause cancer.

These rumors are not backed up by any scientific evidence. The sulfates used in shampoo and other hair care products are not known carcinogens, and there are currently no scientific studies that show any link between sulfates and cancer.

However, sulfates can potentially cause damage to your hair when overused, ranging from hair protein removal to irritated, itchy skin. Hair is made of protein — in fact, hair itself is a protein filament. About 91 percent of each of your hair fibers is protein, along with numerous other nutrients. When the protein that makes up each of your hairs is damaged, it can weaken the hair, affecting its strength and appearance. Sulfates are closely linked with damage to hair protein.

In fact, one study from shows that hair immersed in a sodium dodecyl sulfate solution loses two times as much protein as hair immersed in water.