Call it sodium laureth sulfate (SLS) or sodium laurel ether sulfate (SLES)... or call it by any other name. And still, I don't like it. Sure, this common and cheap additive makes things foamy. Sure, we associate lots-o-foam with cleanliness. But I will not be tricked.
No, I'm not afraid that it's a carcinogen. I respect the scientific evidence to the contrary.
I am against it because it makes every part of me dry. It's in my shampoo, my body wash, my toothpaste. It makes my scalp itch. My skin look like a desert. My gums... well, okay. I haven't noticed its effect on my gums or mouth. It's commonly understood that SLS/SLES is an irritant. And yet it's still added to so many products because it makes FOAM and foam = clean! (Though not really, of course).
All of that to say, I've finally found my current favorite products, brought to me by Burt's Bees. I know, I know, evil Clorox owns nice natural Burt's. But I'll take SLS-free where I can get it, and I can get Burt's just about anywhere I go (which means CVS, Target, and most natural and unnatural grocers). I've just started using my Burt's shampoo and body wash, so I'll let you know how it goes. So far I can definitely tell that the shampoo doesn't foam very much at all, and it's quite runny compared to my normal shampoo. I hope it keeps my scalp from itching me into craziness.
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