Are Products Containg SLS Safe or Harmful

If you get on the Environmental Working Group site it will give you lots of info and lists products that are safe.
GOOD FOR YOU!!!
L.

Updated

If you get on the Environmental Working Group site it will give you lots of info and lists products that are safe.
GOOD FOR YOU!!!
L.

Oh brother! This is just another marketing-scare tactic that has gotten completely out of hand! SLS is the component in shampoo that makes the shampoo bubble and lather. SLS is also found in most toothpastes and mouth washes. SLS will irritate your skin if you leave it on your hair or in your mouth for long periods of time (we're talking an hour or more), but that is all that it is... an irritant. It's also a drying agent so while it makes your hair feel all bubbly, it has properties that will dry your hair out. The FDA has a label on toothpaste warning of the dangers of swallowing toothpaste because of 3 main ingredients: SLS, Fluoride, and Sorbitol. But again, not because your going to die if swallow toothpaste... you just might get a case of diarrhea. So, I ask... are you going to make your family stop using flouride toothpaste? I hope not... or good luck at your next dentist appointment! Bottom line: there is NOT one shred of scientific data that suggests SLS is in any way harmful to your health so breathe easy. You don't want to drink the stuff or get it in your eyes, but it will get your hair or mouth clean without harming your health. BTW, if you are looking for a more high quality product that won't dry your hair out, then choose a salon-quality brand of shampoo... many do not contain SLS or it isn't one of the top ingredients.

Edit: I just read some of the responses you received after my initial post and I just have to clarify. SLS has NOT been banned in other countries. There are many emails circulating around for years that state that, but it is simply not true. One company in the UK did eliminate it from their products, however, when several highly respected oncologists and dermatologists were consulted about the companies decision, many were quoted saying that they understood why it was removed, however the companies decision was less about safety and more about marketing. The American Cancer Society even has an article about the myths surrounding SLS on their website. So again, I ask... who are you going to trust? Hard, scientific data conducted by well-known and respected scientists and medical doctors OR marketing geniuses who want to make more money. Get the facts people before making false claims!

Ahh Cheryl, I know where you are coming from. Remember when coffee gave you cancer. Apparently if you give mice the equivalent of 300+ cups of coffee a day they will get cancer, who knew?

I am pretty sure that has been in shampoo for a good long time and I don't glow in the dark.

And truthorfiction.com states:
"According to the American Cancer Society, sodium Laureth Sulfate is not a carcinogen. It is used in many cleaning products because of its wetting and detergent properties. It is also found in some toothpastes and mouthwashes. Also, according to the ACA, the cancer rates in the 1980's were not O. in 8,000, but about O. in three. The cancer rates for women are about the same now and for men are O. in two although the survivability rates have improved since the 1980's. Additionally, the person from the University of Pennsylvania named at the end of the email says she's not the author of the story and knows nothing about it."

I use Burt's Bees which has no SLS. I am just gravitating towards products with no SLS.

People say everything in moderation but if you use twenty products with a small amount of SLS. How much SLS will you end up in your system and how does SLS work in concert with other chemicals you use? Who knows? Are you willing to be the human gunea pig for that?

European countries have banned the use of SLS. Why hasn't America? Again who knows? I choose to limit my and my families exposure to the stuff.

I think this is another marketing gimmick to get people on a bandwagon to buy something else that is more expensive.

Keep in mind that everything is dangerous.... LOL, at one time or another, tons of products are said to cause cancer, etc. I bet worrying causes cancer too..

We just live our life the best we can and don't pay attention to gimicks like these.

You probably have as much of a chance getting cancer from SLS than you have a chance of being run over by a mack truck.

Live life, be happy!!

We avoid it.
http://www.natural-health-information-centre.com/sodium-l...
I would hardly call it a marketing scam...it was something demanded by the consumers who put their money elsewhere.

I like Giovanni brand (turn your speakers down before clicking link-mine just blasted me): http://www.giovannicosmetics.com/

Do you have a local health foods store? That would be the best place to look.

HTH!

I agree with Emily. And there is more to SLS than just a potential for cancer. Shampoos with SLS make my scalp bleed, even after one use.
People everywhere think that natural choices are just a gimick, but our family is healthier for the choices we make.

Good luck!

I won't buy SLS products! I use Organix products. You can buy them anywhere.

I have no idea if it is harmful or not, but I do use toothpaste without it because I'm prone to mouth ulcers. Sensodyne Pronamel doesn't't contain it. The other Sensodynes do.

There are lots of studies showing it could definitely be harmful! Most chemicals in beauty products are very harmful. Why they are still on the shelves is beyond me. Even Johnson baby products have chemicals known to cause cancer and reproductive harm! Sticking to nature is the best way to go. I avoid chemical products like the plague.