RESPONSE FROM LANZA ON SLS

[azul11]

The Myth about Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)


Recently, a chain letter was circulated touting the dangers of a common
cosmetic ingredient used in hair, bath and body products; sodium laureth
sulfate. The chain letter was sent to e-mail addresses throughout the
country and has received attention from consumers everywhere. As is
typical of such 'warnings', the message was unsigned and fails to site
any references to support its' claims. In fact, upon further research,
the chain letter has been traced to a host of 'independent distributors'
for various multi-level marketing companies hawking "natural personal
care products"

At L'anza Research International we are committed to informing our
customers as to the carefully chosen ingredients used in our products.
We are interested in maintaining the highest level of quality and
education as to why we use specific ingredients.

We have been in the hair care profession for fifteen years and we are
constantly working to enhance and improve the effectiveness of our hair
care line. Therefore we would like to address the concerns surrounding
sodium laurel sulfate in our products, as well as to provide resources
for further information about this safe and effective ingredient.

What is sodium laureth sulfate?
Sodium laureth sulfate (correctly abbreviated SLES) is a common
ingredient used in hair products, toothpaste, bath and shower gels. The
chain letter confuses this compound with another, sodium lauryl sulfate,
which is abbreviated "SLS". The two substances are related but are not
the same.

Why does L'anza use sodium laureth sulfate in its' products?
Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) is an effective cleaning agent
(surfactant), which has been deemed safe by the FDA. SLES has been used
for 40+ years is one of the most popular foaming/cleaning ingredients
used in cosmetic products today. L'anza uses SLES at a barely detectable
2-3% concentration level in a couple of our shampoo formulations.

Is sodium laureth sulfate dangerous?
No, SLES is absolutely safe for infants, children and adults.

Is sodium laureth sulfate known to cause cancer?
No. The chemical does not appear on any official list of known or
suspected carcinogens. All reputable chemists and public health
institutions agree that sodium laureth sulfate does not pose a hazard
when used in bath and body products.

How does an issue like this become so sensationalized?
There are several newly founded 'natural' cosmetic manufactures that use
the Internet as a selling tool. This is an effective means of spreading
unfounded claims to generate fear and increase sales. However, there is
no official documentation that describes SLES as remotely harmful.

For further research:

8th Annual Report on Carcinogens (1998). National Toxicology Program.
URL:http://ntp-server.niehs.nih.gov/Main_pages/NTP_8RoC_pg.html
(September 1, 1998).

Clayton, R.M., et al. (1985). "The Penetration of Detergents into Adult
and Infant Eyes." Food and Chemical Toxicology 23.2 (February 1985):
239-246.
Hope, J. "Absence of Chromosome Damage in Bone Marrow of Rats Fed
Detergent for 90 Days." Mutation Research 56.1 (September 1977): p. 47-
50.

Material Safety Data Sheet for Sodium Laureth Sulfate. University of
Utah. http://www. Chem.utah.edu. (October 1, 1998)

 

[Integrity]

thanks for sharing azul! /images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Allandra]

That still doesn't tell us the reason why THEY decided to use sls. Geez, what a round about response. Oh well.

 

[azul11]

yeah i am still trying to figure out why they ADDED it to the product when nothing was wrong with it to begin with? i always believe in the if its not broke dont fix it. God bless you all.

 

[brownrelaxedhair]

wow, thanks for sharing Azull although it still doesn't say why they decided to add it to the Protein Plus shampoo when it wasn't there before.

It also says that its a very small amount of it and yet apparently its the second ingredient! hmmmmm /images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Whatever. I'm sticking with what I know. The old one.

 

[Tracy]

I agree - not very informative at all. Unless you're a doctor, or a chemist...

I'm a consumer, and I could care less about the nature of the ingredients as long as my hair responds favorably. My hair simply did not respond well to the new formula with the ingredient change. There's no arguing with personal experience...the explanations and theories are all rhetoric to me.

 

[Supergirl]

Thanks Azul,

I'm glad you wrote to them. However, they did not even answer any of "our" concerns. (Did they girl?) We are concerned with the drying properties of such ingredients, not that it's toxic or causes cancer--but about it drying out our hair.

And if someone is using the Protein Plus Shampoo then they obviously need protein for their hair type. AND any hair type that needs protein ALSO needs moisture--goes without saying.

Booooooooo Lanza!