Is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate comedogenic?

A strong foaming surfactant used in many cleansers and shampoos.

This is informational, not medical advice.

Category: surfactant

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

Comedogenic Rating: 5 / 5 (High risk)

Mechanism & Risk:

A strong foaming surfactant used in many cleansers and shampoos. It is rated high on comedogenicity lists, though its main drawback for acne-prone skin is irritation from residue left on the face.

Formulation Context: Mostly a cleansing concern. The high comedogenic rating comes from rabbit-ear data, and it is more often linked to irritation than to clogged pores in practice.

Common INCI Aliases: SLS, sodium dodecyl sulfate

Scientific References: getskinscore.com; porecloggingcheck.com; labelpeek.com; skinsafecheck.com

Other names for Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

  • SLS
  • sodium dodecyl sulfate

Labels may use any of these names, so search your ingredient list for each of them.

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