What is Sulphate, SLS & Paraben and Why Should We Avoid Them?

The rapid growth, coupled with the huge development of the cosmetics industry all over the world, contributes to significant changes in cosmetics consumer behavior.

Around the world, consumers want complete openness to the manufacturing process and country of origin of the personal care and cosmetics products they purchase. With a strong commitment to ethics, this population is truly worried about how its products are created, what ingredients are used to make them, where the ingredients come from, how the products are packed, and whether they might have long-term impacts on health and wellness. In today’s era cosmetic industry faces a huge demand and challenges, in providing assured quality Cosmetic Products. And Consumers are demanding sulphate-free products, paraben-free products, fragrance-free products, SLS free products.

Let’s Understand these in Brief…

Sulphate – Sulphates are chemicals, used as cleansing agents. Sulphates, most commonly sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulphate (SLES), act as cleaners. It’s a synthetic surfactant with strong cleansing properties and helps boost lather.

But Sometimes You see Products That Claimed to Sulphate-Free Products.

So, what is a Sulphate-Free product?

“Several manufacturers attempt to market their products as “safer” by claiming that they are free of SLS and SLES.”

Many Sources declared SLS as a scalp irritant and strips your hair of its natural oils, which can lead to dryness, skin irritation, inflammation, and Skin issues.

According to a study, in India out of 75 people, 22 researchers focused problems towards SLS/SLES Products.

Paraben – Parabens are a group of chemicals widely used as artificial preservatives in cosmetics. These chemicals are added to prevent and reduce the growth of harmful bacteria and mold, increasing the shelf life of the product. According to scientific data, parabens can disrupt hormones in the body, causing harm to fertility and reproductive organs, affecting birth outcomes, and increasing the risk of cancer. They might also irritate the skin. The intergovernmental Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has banned the usage of paraben in personal care products in 10 Southeast Asian countries.

EWG’s Skin Deep® database contains products containing these four parabens:

* Scores of 7 to 10 indicate a high hazard. (https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/)