At a Glance
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is a strong surfactant that has been originated from the petroleum or coconut oil, really well known for its high its has very strong foaming ability but it can also cause skin and eye irritation and remove the natural oils, which in turn lead to dryness. It is mostly used in a shampoo, toothpaste, and an industrial cleaner, but it could also be the reason of harming water creatures. On the other hand, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, that comes from coconut oil or sarcosine, is a more gentle and lighter biodegradable cleanser with moderate foaming properties. It is the same as skin-friendly and the increased use of the product on baby items, shampoos, facial cleansers has been noticed.
Introduction
Surfactants serve to be the key ingredient in toiletries such as soap and cleansers, toothpaste, and shampoos. Normally, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium lauroyl sarcosinate are the two most surfactants appeared in the discussion of formulation. The question pops up, though, if sodium lauroyl sarcosinate is just another version of sodium lauryl sulfate. Are they really, and which one is a lot more suitable for the product? Therefore, here we are going to dive into their properties, benefits, and differences to make your choice more understandable.
What is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)?
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is the chemical, mainly used for its foaming and cleansing ability. It is usually found in personal care products, cleaning agents, and industrial degreasers. While it strongly works on dirt and oil, SLS can be harsh for sensitive skin.
Pros of SLS:
- It can make a thick foam. It is an effective cleaning substance.
- The raw material is relatively inexpensive and widely available.
Cons of SLS:
- Their use could be linked to skin and eye irritability.
- Removes natural oils, causing dryness.
- Could indefinitely disrupt the skin barrier and thus cause damage.
What is Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate?
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate is a milder surfactant that is produced from coconut oil and sarcosine, a natural amino acid, and it offers deep cleansing without the harshness that comes from SLS.
Pros:
- More gentle on the skin, therefore, it is perfect for sensitive skin types.
- Offers a gentler foaming action.
- biodegradable and eco-friendly.
Cons:
- The foam produced by Sarcosinate is less than the one produced by SLS.
- It can be more expensive than SLS.
- In commercial applications, it may not be as effective as deep cleansers.
Sodium lauryl sulfate vs sodium lauroyl sarcosinate: Are they same?
Is sodium lauroyl sarcosinate the same as sodium lauryl sulfate same or similar? The answer is no. In fact, they are just two of the cleansing surfactants that are commonly used. They have different skin effects and chemical structures as well. SLS, a sulfate-based surfactant, is popular for its strong cleaning and high foaming capabilities which can help to rid the hair and skin of dirt and oil. Unfortunately, it can also lead to skin and eye irritation since it may strip the natural skin oils off of the skin, thus leading to dryness and irritation.
On the other hand, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate or sls surfactant has no sulfate found in nature and is produced from either coconut oil or sarcosine, which is a derivative of an amino acid. This substance is delicate skin, and at the same time it is sufficient for cleaning because it does not bring about an inflammatory response or a feeling of dryness. It is suitable for inclusion in baby shampoos, facial cleansers, and sulfate-free hair care products, which are often developed exclusively for people with sensitive skin due to its mild essence.
The substance’s sediment-compatibility and the chances of its biodegradability make it a preferred selection among people who opt for more environmentally friendly and mild options than usual in their daily personal care habits.
Also Read: Top 5 Cleaning Chemicals in Terms of Global Demand
Sodium lauryl sulfate vs sodium lauroyl sarcosinate: Comparisons basis use case
The choice of the best active material between sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS surfactant) and sodium lauroyl sarcosinate to be used for the intended product, depends on the product needs and the target customers. Each surfactant is distinctively characterized by its specific advantages, suiting them for various formulations.
For Deep Cleansing and Maximum Foaming: If you are in a situation where your product is in need of a powerful as well as highly effective washing agent which in this case is a dense cleansing, deep washing, body washes, industrial cleaning products, then the best active material to be used would be SLS. It will be used to eliminate the dirt, decrease the oiliness, and clean the hair. That is why it is recommended as it is the most effective product when the main goal is deep cleaning.
For Gentle Formulations: Which skin condition or problem are you trying to solve SLS to newborns or do you want to muddle through your sensitive skin? The ingredient called sodium lauroyl sarcosinate is very effective at taking out dirt. At the same time, it is very kind for the dermis and hair. Therefore, it is highly recommended for sulfate-free shampoos, facial cleansers, baby care, and mild body washes.
For Environmentally Friendly and Mild Products: Would you say organic and eco-friendly personal care products are the ones you are looking for? there should be a wide range of choices. Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate can be an eco-friendly and mild choice for you as it is biodegradable and skin-friendly SLS. Also, it is certified as non-toxic and organic and is therefore safe for humans and the surroundings. This ingredient can be spotted in various brands which particularly stress the eco-friendly and skin-friendly products amongst their collections.
Why Brands Are Moving Away from Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
With health consciousness and the sustainability of the surroundings being higher than ever, companies are also switching to products that are sulfate-free. The personal-care consumers who now are the ones that are looking for items that are efficient but do not harm the environment. Above all, they look for products that are deeply cleansing without causing any irritation or harm to the environment. In this respect, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate is promoted as a milder substitute to a traditional sulfate with no loss of effectiveness as it is in the case of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS).
Consumer Preferences Are Shifting Towards:
Sulfate-Free Shampoos: To avoid the irritation of the scalp, dryness, and the loss of natural oils, many users were asked to combine sulfate-free shampoos. These formulations are especially recommended to people with a sensitive scalp, dyed hair, or curly and textured hair that needs extra moisture to keep it.
Gentle Face Cleansers: The use of hard detergents can damage the skin’s natural barrier and cause it to become flaky, red, and infected. Thus, it is the skin’s demand for coast-to-coast cleansers that employ software components such as sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, which are the best when it comes to clearing out the skin without omitting hydration and protective barrier.
Eco-Conscious Products: Sustainability has emerged as the foremost factor for consumers while purchasing. Industrial concerns with sulfur-based systems-over-term issues, which are heavy contributors to water pollution and aquatic toxicity, are increasingly being shunned. Green beauty and sustainable packaging have now focused on sodium lauroyl sarcosinate as an eco-friendly alternative to SLS.
The formulas of personal care brands are being completely modified to suit the recent demand of mild sulfates, sulfate-free and green products thus meeting environmental standard norms in the production of such goods.
Scientific Studies on Surfactant Safety
Present-day benzene-derivative analysis is a revelation of the disorder and dermopathy, largely touching upon the dangers of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS). As per the tests, the ultimate effect of using SLS-based merchandise continuously is that the skin’s protective layer is eroded, hence increased loss of water that passes through the skin layer (TEWL) occurs. This irregularity brings about the condition of dryness, irritation, and vulnerability of skin, especially for the affected people having pre-existing conditions like eczema or rosacea.
Conversely, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate has been associated with the beneficial properties of mildness and skin-friendliness. It is a common ingredient in the formulation of hypoallergenic and dermatologist-approved products, which are designed for individuals with sensitive skin, due to its soft and almost harmless action as well as low skin irritation. Its efficacy in cleansing the dermis without trashing away the oils that protect the skin is the main reason it is considered to be the most preferable option for skincare products.
Impact on Hair and Scalp Health
Hair care formulas are dependent on surfactants for washing, but selecting the most suitable one for sure can have an immense effect on the scalp and hair health. Shampoos that are made with Sodium Lauryl Sulfate are capable of removing oil, dirt, and other compounds that may be present in the hair, thus they become very common ingredients in deep-cleansing shampoos. Yet, their strong detergent features cause the scalp to become dry, itchy, and the skin as an unprotected liner of hair may be broken with their frequent application.
Contrarily, shampoos without sulfate that are made of sodium lauroyl sarcosinate are generally gentler on the hair giving the scalp what it needs which is more often moisture and also removing dirt and oil that interfere with the hair look. This is an advantage in that the people with natural curls, colored hair, or who are dealing with damaged hair are also part of the ten million people with the best results by maintaining hydration, decreasing frizz, and improving general hair health.
Sodium lauryl sulfate vs sodium lauroyl sarcosinate: Environmental Considerations
The environmental impact is also a crucial factor while selecting surfactants for cosmetic formulations, apart from the private care benefits. Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is the culprit of notorious environmental pollution, especially in the water realm, being both practically biodegradative and toxic to the marine fauna at the same time. Immoderate SLS in wastewater is the main pollutant that accumulates in water sources leading to ecological imbalance and detrimental consequences to aquatic organisms.
On the other hand, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate is an environmentally friendly substitute that is considered not to be a toxic chemical and to be fully degradable in water. It is broken down faster in water thus causing less pollution, and is preferred by eco-friendly brands dealing with sustainable beauty and personal care products.
Also Read: What Cleaning Products Have Ammonia? Ammonia-Based Cleaning Products for Industrial Uses
Conclusion
When it is about the possibility of choosing the right surfactant for your personal care or cosmetic products, you have to be sure to first make yourself familiar with the differences between sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium lauroyl sarcosinate. The role that both surfactants play is important in the formation of gel, as SLS has strong cleansing and high foaming properties while sodium lauroyl sarcosinate can provide a gentler, sulfate-free alternative.
Nevertheless, when consumers began to sidestep harsh surfactants, preferring soft, skin-friendly, and nature-protecting, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, as the best option, came more and more onto the market. Its quality of being able to cleanse skin correctly without harming oils or causing irritation, which is a major reason why people use sulfate-free shampoos and facial cleansers and baby products for sensitive skin.
Whether you are thinking of a new skincare, haircare or personal care product and you also want to use sulphate-free emulsifiers of the finest quality, at Elchemy.com, are the best in the market when it comes to the production of premium surfactants and derivatives of sodium lauroyl sarcosinate and other alternatives that are sulphate-free.
