Every month Kevin Tibbs, Better Life’s Co-Founder and Chief Formulation Chemist, tackles a question from one of our fans in our new video series “Ask the Chemist”. This month he answers, “What is an SLS and does Better Life use it in their products?”
The answer is No. Nope. Never. Better Life has never and will never use SLS in our products. As Kevin stated in the video below, “We’ve found better, safer ways to clean your home.” Kevin has formulated over 300 consumer products before co-founding Better Life and it has been his sole mission to formulate safe products that outperform traditional cleaners without using any of the harmful and harsh chemicals found in traditional, and some “green”, cleaning products.
Ok. So then what exactly is an SLS and why is it bad for me? Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (commonly known as SLS) is a surfactant that is widely used in many mainstream personal hygiene products such as shampoos, toothpastes, mouthwashes, body wash and soaps, dish soaps, laundry detergents, stain remover, children’s shampoo/soap, shaving cream, mascara, mouth wash, moisturizer, and skin cleanser. Companies use SLS in products because it is inexpensive and a very effective foaming agent (all those bubbles in your sink and shower) despite the fact that it has been proven to be a skin and eye irritant. As a matter of fact, University of Georgia Medicine showed that SLS had the power to permeate the eyes, brain, heart, and liver. Additionally, SLS has been attributed to dandruff, dermatitis, and canker sores.
SLS is also a pesticide. Yep. It kills plants and bugs and was found not suitable for organic farmers because of the environmental damage and polluting properties.
And well, it gets worse. Most of these products containing SLS also include 1,4-Dioxane contamination. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies 1,4-Dioxane to be a probable human carcinogen. Under Proposition 65, 1,4-Dioxane is classified in the U.S. State of California to cause cancer (if you live in California I’m sure you’re well aware of the label associated with such products containing 1,-4-Dioxane: WARNING: This product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm).
So rest easy and go to town washing your face, dishes, and clothes with Better Life, which has been and always will be SLS free.
For a list of products that contain SLS, please visit the guide below from the US Department of Health & Human Services:
https://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/household/brands?tbl=chem&id=78