Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES 70% – Malaysia Shampoo Base)
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INCI Name:
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (and water) (typically 70% active solution)
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Molecular Formula:
Not a single fixed formula (ethoxylated mixture)
Main component: C₁₂H₂₅(OCH₂CH₂)ₙOSO₃Na
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CAS Number:
68891-38-3
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Alternate Names:
- SLES 70%
- Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate
- Ethoxylated SLS
- Shampoo Base Surfactant
- Malaysia SLES Liquid
- Foam Booster Base
Key Benefits:
- Produces rich, stable foam in shampoos
- Strong cleansing and oil removal action
- Cost-effective primary surfactant base
- Easy to formulate into shampoos and body washes
- Works well with other surfactants for mildness
- Enhances viscosity when combined with salt or thickeners
Benefits & Uses (Short):
- Main cleansing base for shampoos and shower gels
- Removes oil, dirt, and buildup effectively
- Provides dense and creamy foam texture
- Used in shampoos, face washes, body washes, hand washes, and bubble baths
- Compatible with conditioning and mild surfactant systems
Recommended Usage Level:
- Shampoos: 10% – 30% (depending on formulation strength)
- Body wash: 5% – 20%
- Face wash: 3% – 10% (mild formulations)
- Hand wash: 10% – 25%
- Diluted systems: adjusted as per active surfactant percentage
How It Works (Short):
- Works as an anionic surfactant that reduces surface tension of water, allowing it to lift oils and dirt from skin and hair
- Forms micelles that trap grease and impurities for easy rinsing
- Ethoxylation makes it milder compared to raw SLS while improving solubility
- Generates foam by trapping air within surfactant film layers
- Works synergistically with cocamidopropyl betaine to improve mildness and foam quality
- Provides strong cleansing performance even in hard water conditions
FAQs:
Q: Is SLES 70% safe for shampoos?
A: Yes, it is widely used in commercial shampoos within regulated limits.
Q: What is the difference between SLS and SLES?
A: SLES is ethoxylated, making it milder and less irritating than SLS.
Q: Can it be used alone in shampoo?
A: Yes, but it is usually combined with co-surfactants for better mildness and conditioning.
Q: Why is it called “Malaysia SLES”?
A: It often refers to bulk industrial-grade SLES sourced from Malaysian manufacturers.
Q: Does it cause dryness?
A: It can be slightly drying if used alone at high levels, so it is balanced with conditioning agents.
