Meaning & use
sodium laureth sulphate
Last updated
Meaning
noununcountablechemistrytechnical
A chemical that makes liquids foam and helps water lift away oil and dirt, widely added to shampoo, soap and cleaning products.
Grammar: A chemical name used without an article: shampoo contains sodium laureth sulphate.
Patterns
- contains sodium laureth sulphate
- free of sodium laureth sulphate
Many shampoos list sodium laureth sulphate near the top of the ingredients.
Some people with sensitive skin avoid sodium laureth sulphate.
The label says the toothpaste is free of sodium laureth sulphate.
Common combinations
- free from sodium laureth sulphate
- This body wash is free from sodium laureth sulphate.
- contain sodium laureth sulphate
- Most bubble baths contain sodium laureth sulphate.
- sodium laureth sulphate shampoo
- A sodium laureth sulphate shampoo lathers easily.
- avoid sodium laureth sulphate
- She avoids sodium laureth sulphate because it dries her scalp.
Synonyms and how they differ
- SLES
- SLES is just the abbreviation, used on labels and in articles for short.
- surfactant
- Surfactant is the general class of chemicals; sodium laureth sulphate is one specific surfactant.
- detergent
- Detergent is a broader everyday word for any cleaning agent, not a particular compound.
Word family
- sulphate noun
- a salt or ester of sulphuric acid
- sodium noun
- a soft metallic element
- surfactant noun
- a substance that reduces surface tension
Commonly confused: sodium laureth sulphate or sodium lauryl sulphate?
sodium laureth sulphate vs sodium lauryl sulphate
Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) is a related foaming agent that is generally harsher on skin than the ethoxylated form SLES.
Practice
Why is sodium laureth sulphate added to shampoo?
Choose one answer.
It is a surfactant, so it creates lather and helps wash away oil. It does not grow, color or scent hair.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “sodium laureth sulphate”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.