Sodium laureth sulfate

SLES is prepared by ethoxylation of dodecyl alcohol, which is produced industrially from palm kernel oil or coconut oil. The resulting ethoxylate is converted to a half ester of sulfuric acid, which is neutralized by conversion to the sodium salt. The related surfactant sodium lauryl sulfate or SLS (also known as sodium dodecyl sulfate or SDS) is produced similarly, but without the ethoxylation step. SLS and ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS) are commonly used alternatives to SLES in consumer products. ==Environmental impacts==

SLES is toxic to aquatic animals. Low concentrations can cause severe effects and even death in fish. == Safety==

SLES does not induce any adverse responses in any toxicology testing. SLES is a skin and eye irritant but not a sensitizer. SLES may retain trace amounts of the probable human carcinogen 1,4-dioxane, an unintended chemical by-product formed during the ethoxylation and subsequent sulfonation steps used to synthesize it. Since the presence of 1,4-dioxane was recognized, many manufacturers have implemented purification processes, such as vacuum and steam stripping, to reduce its concentration in finished products. == See also ==