Sodium Lauryl (laureth) Sulfate and the likes: Truly Harmful or Internet Trash?

There has been an unending 12 year discussion about Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate etc. The hype has been that it can cause you brain cancer, make your hair fall out, and whatever superstition. Recently, one of my team members wrote in to Shaklee asking about the toothpaste (which is amazing and makes your teeth super white NATURALLY!) because it contains Sodium Lauryl Sulfate in it, but Shaklee NEVER makes any products that are harmful so why is it in it? Here is the response they wrote which has been a real eye opener to me. It is lengthy, but worth the read!

Thanks for your inquiry regarding New Concept Organic Dentifrice.

Four years ago at Shaklee we initiated a project to remove from a number of our formulations ingredients which were no longer desirable in our products - such as propylene glycol and sodium lauryl sulfate - as well as parabens. We chose to remove these compounds not because they were unsafe - but because the dissemination of misinformation on the internet made their continued use untenable. The project is now complete except for one product - New Concept Organic Dentifrice.

We have repeatedly tried to reformulate this product but have not been happy with the results obtained. We now have the choice of continuing to offer a product (which many consumers want) or discontinuing it (which our consumers do not want). Just to give you an idea of how difficult reformulation can be - a few years ago one of our competitors, Tom's of Maine decided to remove propylene glycol from their toothpaste. The reformulated product simply did not work as well without this ingredient, and within a year Tom's had restored the product to its original formulation.

Over the years, we have found that many customers and potential customers have decided to avoid products based on ingredient misinformation widely available and disseminated on the Internet and in fringe publications. Outrageous claims about specific personal care ingredients abound - sodium lauryl sulfate being a good example - from causing cancer to myriad other diseases - for which there is not a scintilla of scientific evidence. We have followed the ongoing scientific compilation of data in relation to ingredients and the choices we have made in formulating our products, and the choices we will continue to make in future, will always be based on ingredient safety and consumer safety based on reputable clinical data.

When we hear about the possible dangers from ingredients, we certainly take each and every one seriously, and look into the claims being made and the scientific data on which it is based. About fifteen years ago, for example, we started to hear about the dangers of sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate which it was being claimed caused everything from hair loss, to blindness, to cancer. Despite the complete absence of any scientific data to support these claims, they persisted through fringe publications and websites and over time had a perceptible effect on the purchasing habits of consumers. We eventually made the decision in 2008 to remove these ingredients from our products also - again based on the changing buying habits of consumers - especially new consumers who may not be aware of our history and reputation in the industry.

The brouhaha about the safety of these compounds was such that as far back as February 1999, the UC Berkeley Wellness Letter addressed the safety of these ingredients with the following comments:

Readers keep asking us about sodium laureth sulfate and sodium lauryl sulfate after widely dispersed Internet messages warned that one or both of these cause cancer. You would have a hard time avoiding these substances if you use shampoo, toothpaste, shaving cream, or skin care products, in which they serve a sudsing, cleansing stabilizing, or emulsifying agents. They are found even in many "natural" products, such as Tom's of Maine toothpaste.

This Internet message was a hoax. The "authors" listed at the end of some versions of the message have denied writing it. The message contained no scientific data, only crazy claims that these ingredients are causing a cancer epidemic. There is no evidence that these rinse-off ingredients cause cancer (not even when fed to rats). They are safe, according to a Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel. There main adverse effect: occasional skin or eye irritation.

BOTTOM LINE: The Internet is a very efficient way to spread information -- real and bogus. Read with a critical eye.

In May 2010, the Wellness Letter revisited the sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate issue - and again noted:

• Don’t worry about the ingredients sodium laureth sulfate and sodium lauryl sulfate in your shampoo, toothpaste, shaving cream, or skin-care
products. Rumors that these common ingredients cause cancer have been circulating on the Internet since 1998, but there is no evidence that these ingredients cause cancer or any other adverse effects other than occasional irritation and perhaps increased risk of canker sores. Despite the passage of 12 years nothing new has emerged from clinical studies to demonstrate that these two compounds are hazardous.

As you can see from this additional example - a lot of internet smoke - but no scientific fire.

As a responsible manufacturer of quality personal care products, Shaklee adheres to all Good Manufacturing Practices. This means that all of
ingredients used in our products are on the FDA's Monograph of approved ingredients for use in personal care products, and their safety is
reviewed regularly by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review. The CIR which was established by the Cosmetic, Toiletry & Fragrance Association (CTFA), and supported by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Consumer Federation of America. The CIR relies on unbiased scientific, legitimate data and its interpretation by recognized, independent experts in the fields of clinical research, pharmacology, toxicology, dermatology, environmental medicine, and cancer causation and prevention. You can review this information yourself by using the attached link to go to the CIR website: http://www.cir-safety.org/.

The bottom line is this - Shaklee never has, does not now, and never will produce products that are harmful. Our formulations are scientifically
tested for safety and efficacy, and comply with applicable European Union (EU) Cosmetics Directive, the Association of Southeast Asian National List (ASEAN), the California Safe Cosmetic Act, and California Proposition 65 guidelines.

Your Friends at Shaklee