Surfactants

Sodium Laureth Sulfate: Comedogenic Rating & Safety Profile

Also known as: SLES

An ethoxylated surfactant — milder than SLS but still potentially drying. Common in shampoos and body washes.

Comedogenic

3/5

Moderate Risk

0 = won't clog pores · 5 = highly pore-clogging

Irritancy

3/5

Moderate Risk

0 = inert · 5 = often irritating

Function

Surfactants

Pregnancy

Generally considered safe

Vegan

Typically yes

Also Known As

SLES

Quick verdict

Sodium Laureth Sulfate is a surfactant with a moderate risk comedogenic profile (3/5) and moderate risk irritancy (3/5). An ethoxylated surfactant — milder than SLS but still potentially drying. Common in shampoos and body washes.

What is Sodium Laureth Sulfate?

Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) is an ethoxylated cousin of sodium lauryl sulfate. The ethoxylation process makes the molecule larger and gentler on the skin barrier than SLS, while keeping much of the foaming power. It remains a common surfactant in shampoos and body washes globally. Some concerns have been raised about 1,4-dioxane contamination from the ethoxylation process — reputable manufacturers now strip this contaminant to undetectable levels.

Comedogenic Rating: What 3/5 Means for Your Skin

SLES is rated 0/5 for true comedogenicity. It is a wash-off product so contact time is brief, and it does not have the same direct barrier-damaging effect as SLS.

Benefits for skin

Better tolerated than SLS
Effective cleansing power
Produces ample foam

Potential side effects & who should avoid it

Irritancy rating is around 3/5 — meaningfully gentler than SLS but still drying for sensitive skin, rosacea, eczema and very dry hair. Look for SLES paired with cocamidopropyl betaine or amphoteric co-surfactants — this combination significantly reduces irritation.

Best for

Normal body skin

Avoid if

Facial use
Sensitive skin
Rosacea
Acne-prone
Eczema

How to use Sodium Laureth Sulfate safely

Acceptable for healthy skin in body and hair products. Sensitive or barrier-impaired skin should look for sulfate-free alternatives based on glucosides, isethionates or amino-acid surfactants.

Commonly found in

SLES is in most drugstore shampoos, body washes, foaming face washes and many salon hair products.

Found Sodium Laureth Sulfate in your skincare?

Paste the full ingredient list into our INCI Analyser to see how this ingredient interacts with everything else in the formula.

Frequently asked questions

Is SLES comedogenic?

No — 0/5.

Is SLES safer than SLS?

Yes — meaningfully so. It is gentler on the skin barrier.

Can I use SLES every day?

Healthy skin and hair, yes. Sensitive or compromised skin should consider sulfate-free options.

Is SLES bad for the skin?

Not in itself, but it can be over-drying for sensitive types. Look for gentler co-formulations.

Other surfactants to know

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

A harsh anionic surfactant that produces dramatic foam. Strips the skin barrier and worsens conditions like eczema and rosacea.

Cocamidopropyl Betaine

An amphoteric surfactant derived from coconut. Used as a milder co-surfactant to soften the harshness of stronger cleansing agents.

Want the full picture on pore-clogging ingredients? Read our complete guide to comedogenic ingredients for the dermatology research behind the 0–5 scale and the full list of high-risk ingredients to avoid.

Sources

Written by ScanSkinAI Cosmetic Science Team · Last updated June 2026

This information is for educational purposes only. Always patch-test new products and consult a dermatologist if you have specific skin concerns.