Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate molecular structurePubChem

2-5 year old preschoolers • Skin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Safe for preschoolers to use Sodium Lauryl Sulfate?

✅
YES - Generally Safe
Danger Score: 3 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is generally considered safe for 2-5 year old children when used in topical products. Consider preschooler activity levels.

ℹ️General Overview

SLS is a common cleaning ingredient. For 2–5 year olds it is usually low risk for long-term harm, but it can irritate the skin and eyes, so it should be used carefully on young children.

✅What to Do

Use products intended for children and prefer rinse-off items (like shampoos and body washes) rather than leave-on creams that list SLS. Rinse the skin and hair well after use. If trying a new product, test a small patch on the inner forearm first. If your child has eczema or very sensitive skin, choose products labeled SLS-free or made for sensitive skin.

⚠️Warnings

Stop use and rinse well if you see redness, stinging, or eye irritation. Seek medical advice if the reaction is severe or doesn’t improve. These irritation concerns come from cosmetic safety reviews and regulatory assessments (for example, reviews by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review panel and notes from Environment Canada), which specifically flag skin and eye irritation as the main issue with SLS.

Confidence: HIGH

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Irritant: A cosmetic safety review (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) reports strong evidence this ingredient can irritate skin, eyes, or lungs. That means it can cause redness, stinging, or rash—especially on sensitive or baby skin and at higher concentrations.
Organ Risk: Environment Canada has classified this chemical as expected to be toxic or harmful to non-reproductive organs and given it a medium human-health priority. This flag means repeated or heavy exposure could harm organs (for example liver or lungs) over time.
Environmental: Environment Canada also lists this ingredient as suspected to be an environmental toxin, indicating it may harm aquatic life or ecosystems if released into the environment.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

This ingredient may also be listed as:

sodium lauryl sulfateSODIUM LAURYL SULFATE (JP17/NF)KS-00000VTLSODIUM DODECYL SULPHATE (SDS)CHEMBL23393DTXSID1026031SODIUM DODECYL SULFATE, 99%DODECYL SULPHURIC ACID SODIUM SALTSODIUM DODECYL SULPHATE SOLUTIONDODECYL SODIUM SULFATE, DODECYL SULFATE SODIUM SALT, LAURYL SULFATE SODIUM SALT, SDS, SODIUM LAURYL SULFATEDODECYL SULFATE, SODIUM SALT, 98%, FOR BIOCHEMISTRY, SUITABLE FOR ELECTROPHORESISSODIUM LAURYL SULFATE

Always check ingredient labels carefully, as ingredients may be listed under different names.

Common Questions About Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

Safe for preschoolers to use Sodium Lauryl Sulfate?

Yes, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is generally considered safe for 2-5 year old children based on current research.

What are the irritant risks of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate for preschoolers?

Can cause skin redness, itchiness, or rashes—especially on sensitive baby skin. Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

What are the organ risk risks of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate for preschoolers?

May harm organs like liver, kidneys, or lungs with repeated use. Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

What are the environmental risks of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate for preschoolers?

Possible negative effects on the environment Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

What products contain Sodium Lauryl Sulfate?

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is commonly found in skincare products, cosmetics, and topical applications. Always check ingredient labels before use.

Is this suitable for preschoolers to using products with Sodium Lauryl Sulfate?

The appropriate age depends on the specific ingredient properties and concentration. This analysis is for 2-5 year old children. Use the age selector above to check other ages.

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