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Originally Posted On: https://cpapsoap.com/blogs/news/sls-vs-sles
SLS vs SLES
At CPAP Soap our products do not use SLS, but rather a milder derivative known as SLES. To help better understand the differences between the two, as well as why we prefer SLES, we have put together a more in-depth look into each as well as their differences.
What is SLS?
SLS stands for Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, and this is an ingredient found in multiple beauty products, and commonly crops up in a lot of the things you might buy. It has been marked as safe to use, however, it is worth noting that this can cause skin irritation, particularly for people with sensitive skin. SLS impacts the proteins in the skin, meaning that over time they can become dry and cracked. What’s more, it can also lead to weakened hair, and contribute to potential long-term hair loss. This is because SLS can remain in the follicles for some time after washing hair, so it would be advisable to not choose shampoo products that contain SLS.
The key here is to make sensible choices when selecting your cleaning & beauty products, and if you have sensitive skin, to choose something other than SLS. If you don’t have sensitive skin, SLS should be fine, but is best avoided in hair products altogether. SLS does have differences to the similarly named SLES, and it is important to understand how the two differ.
What is SLES?
SLES is slightly different to SLS, and stands for Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES). Though it is derived from its parent chemical SLS, the compound is altered as a result of a process known as ethoxylation. The idea behind this is to create a safer and gentler chemical, making it a much safer and more preferable choice in cleaning products. This is also something that is not going to irritate the skin quite as much as with SLS products, and this is something that you need to try to focus on as much as possible.
Products that contain and use SLES can provide as much lather and cleanliness as SLS products, and this is what makes them an appealing choice. But they are even more impressive due to the fact that they do not dry the skin out, and instead leave it feeling soft, nourished, and more natural. This is certainly the preferable choice when trying to decide between the two, and is something that makes for a much accommodating choice.
What are the Main Differences Between the Two?
These are two similar ingredients, with a similar way of working, but there are differences between them. The two main differences in favor of SLES come in the way they work on your skin, as well as the way the compound is produced. For the most part, SLES is a more appealing and less abrasive version of SLS. It works better on the skin, and is less likely to cause issues such as irritation and dry, cracked skin, making it a safer and more comfortable option.
The other key difference comes in the fact that SLES leaves the skin more soft and nourished, and is a much gentler chemical.
What Does This Mean for Your Shopping Habits?
As a consumer, it is essential that you think about the products that you are buying and using on your body. There are so many factors that play a part in this, and it is essential to be able to choose products that are going to be easy on the skin, and that are going to be good for your body.
Understanding the differences between SLS and SLES can help you to avoid products that might irritate your skin or cause you discomfort, and instead you can favor the less invasive and more comfortable SLES ingredient. We prefer SLES for these reasons as it is a more accommodating ingredient for usage in our versatile cleaning product for equipment that is placed directly on your face and skin. Our aim is to provide a high-quality product that not only takes your sleep equipment cleanliness into consideration, but also other ways we can be sensitive to your body and health.
