Definition:
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is a cleaning agent that can also be found in personal care products such as toothpaste and shaving cream, as well as in aspirin, heart medications and other prescription medicines. It removes dirt and deposits by surrounding dirt particles to loosen them from the surface they're attached to, so they can be rinsed away. Over the years, SLS has received some bad press due to emails that began circulating in the late 90s regarding alleged cancer concerns. In fact, three different authorities – OSHA, the National Toxicology Program and the International Agency for Research on Cancer – have all rated SLS as being non-carcinogenic.
