Sodium Laureth Sulfate 70%, 1 kg

Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) 70% is an anionic surfactant with 70% active ingredient, which acts as the main cleansing and foaming agent in rinse-off products. It produces a thick, stable foam and removes grease and dirt from the skin and hair. For this reason it is used in shampoos, shower gels and liquid soaps as the primary surfactant, around which the rest of the formulation is built.

It works equally well outside cosmetics, in dishwashing products, laundry products and all-purpose household cleaners. The raw material is synthetic, supplied as a concentrate and diluted with water before processing.

Key properties

• Strong cleansing effect – sodium laureth sulfate lowers the surface tension of water and releases grease from the surface of the skin, hair and washed objects. It is suitable for hair prone to greasiness and for oily or normal skin.
• Rich foam – it forms quickly, even at a lower usage rate, and is thick. In bath bombs and bath salts, SLES serves as a foaming additive.
• Wide compatibility – it can be combined with anionic, amphoteric and non-ionic surfactants and works in acidic, neutral and alkaline environments.
• High concentration – with 70% active ingredient, a smaller amount of the raw material is needed than with diluted solutions, leaving more room in the formulation for water and care ingredients.
• Ready biodegradability – according to the OECD 301 test, the surfactant breaks down quickly in the environment, which is important for rinse-off products.

Use in formulations

SLES belongs in the water phase. It is miscible with water, only partially soluble in alcohol and insoluble in oil, so it does not belong in anhydrous oil-based systems. Before the other ingredients are added, the concentrate is diluted with water and stirred slowly so that the mixture does not foam unnecessarily. Work at a temperature of up to 60 °C; higher temperatures are not necessary.

The indicative usage rate is 3–30%, depending on the type of product and the required cleansing intensity. When calculating the total surfactant content of a formulation, allow for 70% active ingredient in the raw material. The finished product is adjusted to pH 5.0–8.0.

In cosmetic formulations, SLES is rarely used on its own. Combining it with an amphoteric surfactant, most often Cocamidopropyl Betaine, softens the foam and makes thickening easier. Non-ionic surfactants such as Coco-Glucoside or Decyl Glucoside complement the cleansing effect and improve the feel on the skin after rinsing.

Suitable for products such as

• Shampoos – especially for hair and scalps prone to greasiness, where thorough cleansing is needed.
• Shower gels and bubble baths – a base surfactant with rich foam, complemented by betaine and conditioning agents.
• Liquid hand soaps and facial cleansing gels – for normal and oily skin, always as a rinse-off product.
• Intimate hygiene products – at a lower usage rate and combined with milder surfactants.
• Bath bombs and bath salts – as a foaming ingredient.
• Dishwashing, laundry and household cleaning products – the upper part of the usage rate range is used here.

Good to know

The raw material is intended exclusively for rinse-off products. It does not belong in creams, lotions, sprays or other products that stay on the skin. It is an ethoxylated synthetic surfactant, so do not use it in formulations labelled “sulfate-free” or in certified natural cosmetics.

Every SLES-based product contains water, so it needs a preservation system. Choose the preservative according to the target pH and check its compatibility with anionic surfactants. In formulations with a higher proportion of alcohol, check that the mixture remains clear, as SLES is only partially soluble in alcohol.

At a high usage rate, the finished product may have a drying effect on the skin. It helps to use a lower proportion of SLES, to add amphoteric and non-ionic surfactants, to add glycerine or other moisturising ingredients, and to test the product before placing it on the market.

SLES and SLS: what is the difference

Both raw materials are anionic sulfate surfactants and are often confused. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is an unmodified alkyl sulfate, while Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) has additionally undergone ethoxylation. The ethoxylated chain improves solubility in water and makes thickening with salt easier, which is why SLES is used more often in shampoos and shower gels.

Frequently asked questions