Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
- Anionic surfactants
- CAS 9004-82-4
- IUPAC: Sodium lauryl ether sulfate
Mild skin/eye irritant at high concentrations. Not a carcinogen despite internet myths. The ethoxylated version (SLES) is gentler than the non-ethoxylated SLS.
The most common surfactant in car shampoos, body washes, and household cleaners. SLES is an anionic surfactant that creates dense foam and effectively lifts grease and particulate from surfaces.
In car care, it's the backbone of virtually every car shampoo formula. At typical use dilutions (0.5-2%), it's well below irritation thresholds. Readily biodegradable in wastewater treatment systems.
Health & environment profile
- VOC
- no
- Prop 65 listed
- no
- Asthmagen
- no
- EPA Safer Choice
- no
- Aquatic toxicity
- no
- Biodegradable
- yes
- Bioaccumulative
- no
- Persistent
- no
- Ozone depleting
- no
- Microplastic
- no
- PFAS
- no
- Env. score
- 4/5
2 products contain this
Adam's Polishes Mega Foampre-wash
Health summaries are editorial — we synthesize from SDSs, peer-reviewed sources, and regulatory listings. Not medical advice.