Is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate fungal acne safe?

No, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is considered a trigger for fungal acne (Malassezia) as it typically contains lipids or esters that feed the yeast.

Is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate safe for pregnancy?

Yes, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is generally considered safe for use during pregnancy.

Is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate vegan?

Yes, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is typically vegan.

Is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate comedogenic?

Yes, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate has a comedogenic rating of 3/5, meaning it has a high likelihood of clogging pores.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

SLS

Poor

Red Flag

Pores

3/5

Irritancy

5/5

FA Safe

❌ No

Pregnancy

✅ Safe

Vegan

✅ Yes

Science & Benefits

A harsh anionic surfactant. SLS is the industry standard for inducing skin irritation in clinical trials. It denatures skin proteins and strips the lipid barrier. For acne sufferers, this leads to 'Reactive Seborrhea'—where the skin overproduces oil to compensate for the extreme dryness. It is also moderately comedogenic (Rating 3) and should be strictly avoided in leave-on and wash-off acne products.

Safety Alerts

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Fungal Acne: This ingredient is a lipid/ester that can feed Malassezia yeast. Avoid if you have active FA bumps.