Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Also known as: SLS, sodium dodecyl sulfate
A strong foaming detergent linked to mouth irritation and canker sores for many people.
01. What it is
What it is
A surfactant that creates rich foam in toothpaste, soaps, and cleaners.
02. Why it’s used
Why it’s used
Foam signals 'working' to consumers and helps spread paste and lift debris.
03. The concern
The concern
Can dry and irritate oral mucosa; frequently reported as a trigger for aphthous ulcers in sensitive users. Also a symbolic 'chemical' red flag for natural shoppers.
04. Our take
Our take
We treat SLS as an avoid for this audience. Plenty of effective pastes foam gently with milder surfactants. Foam volume is not a measure of cavity prevention.
05. Found in
Brands we reviewed
These ranked pastes list or rely on this ingredient in the formula we evaluated.
- Sensodyne Pronamel / Repair & Protect (representative)
Rank #27 · Score 66.2
- Crest Pro-Health / 3D White (representative fluoride paste)
Rank #28 · Score 65
- Colgate Total / Cavity Protection (representative)
Rank #30 · Score 63.4
- Arm & Hammer Advance White / PeroxiCare (representative)
Rank #31 · Score 61.1
- Quip Anticavity Toothpaste
Rank #21 · Score 68.8
- Twice Oral Wellness Toothpaste
Rank #18 · Score 70.1
- Marvis Classic Strong Mint (and flavor collection)
Rank #32 · Score 60.2
- Biotene Fresh Mint Gentle Formula Toothpaste
Rank #29 · Score 64.7
06. Sources
Further reading
Third-party citations, not studies we ran.