At first glance, SLS and SLES sound almost identical - but these two ingredients are quite different. Both are commonly used in beauty and personal care products to create foam, like the rich lather you experience when using shampoo. SLS stands for Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, while SLES stands for Sodium Laureth Sulfate. If you already take a conscious approach to the products you use, you may have heard of these ingredients before. But understanding the difference between them is key to knowing what’s truly best for your skin and hair, so let’s take a closer look.
SLS – Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Although it has officially been marked as ‘safe to use’, SLS can cause skin irritation, which is bad news for people who have sensitive skin and have skin conditions such as eczema. SLS affects the proteins within the skin and over time the skin can become dry and cracked. In shampoos, SLS can cause hair to become weak which can then potentially lead to hair loss. This is due to SLS remaining in the follicles for some time after you have washed your hair. ishga does not use SLS in any products.
SLES – Sodium Laureth Sulfate
SLES is derived from the parent chemical SLS. However, the compound is altered through a process called ethoxylation (try saying that in that a hurry!) and the end result is the creation of a gentler, safer chemical. This means that it is safe to use in beauty products and it won’t irritate your skin. Products that use SLES can generate just as much lather and cleaning action as those containing SLS, but the key difference is that your skin will feel soft and nourished after using SLES, especially when combined with ingredients like seaweed extract, juniper berries, lemongrass, lavender and rose geranium – ishga's key ingredients.
At ishga, we never use SLS in any of our products. Instead, our Shampoo & Body Bar is formulated with SLES, a gentle, skin-friendly alternative that effectively cleanses without stripping away natural moisture. Designed to be kind to both your skin and the planet, our Shampoo & Body Bar is plastic-free and travel-ready, and is now even easier to take with you on the go using our Shampoo & Body Bar Travel Tin.
Questions about our ingredients? Feel free to get in touch.
