What Exactly is SLES 70, and How is It Applied in Global Industries?
There’s a high chance you’ve used a cleaning or grooming product containing SLES 70. Most cleaners, detergents, and shampoos feature this ingredient. So, what exactly is this magic ingredient?
“SLES 70” stands for Sodium Laureth Sulphate. It’s a Sulphate and a chemical surfactant. It’s made of – sulphuric acid, sodium hydroxide, and a hydrocarbon chain (e.g., petrol or palm oil). This chemical compound reduces the surface tension between two materials.
In other words, SLES 70 makes things super-slippery. That’s why it’s so widely used in the manufacture of cleaning products. It can easily break down fats and grease on surfaces, making them easier to wash away.
Sodium Laureth Sulphate gives cleaning and grooming products “lathering effects.” The foamy residue you see when you’re washing oil and dirt from your hair/skin is created by SLES 70. Here’s how this chemical compound is used in various industries.
Technical Description: Understanding How SLES 70 Works
- SLES 70 belongs to a class of chemicals known as anionic surfactants. This “slippery” chemical lowers the surface tension between two/or more surfaces, making them easier to clean. It is compatible with all surfactants (except for cationic surfactants).
- Manufacturers ethoxylate dodecyl alcohol to produce sulfuric acid. The acid is neutralized with sodium salt to produce Sodium Laureth Sulphate.
- This anionic surfactant offers amazing detergency, foamability, and emulsification. That’s why it’s a key ingredient in most “rinse-off” cleaning and grooming products (shampoo, body wash gels, etc.)
- SLES 70 is available in 70% and 28% active concentrations. Suppliers typically export 70% active concentrations.
- This substance is 100% safe for human use – both as an ingredient in cleaning products and a food additive.
Key Advantages
SLES 70 facilitates formulating and producing various types of consumer goods. It is hard-water-resistant and highly biodegradable. Plus, it offers excellent solvency. These properties make this material the ideal “surfactant” for manufacturing beauty and self-care products.
Unlike Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS), SLES 70 is non-corrosive, mild, and skin-friendly. It doesn’t cause irritations when applied to the skin.
Industry Applications
SLES 70 is used to manufacture countless grooming and cosmetic products meant for direct skin application. These items include – exfoliants, facial foundations, makeup removers, and other personal and home care products.
- In the printing and dyeing industry, SLES 70 is used as a dyeing and degreasing agent in the printing and dyeing industry.
- In the petroleum manufacturing industry, it serves as a foaming and degreasing agent.
- In the leather manufacturing industry, it’s used as a lubricant, dyeing agent, and cleanser.
Personal Care Products
SLES 70 is an active ingredient in the following personal care products –
- Hair Care: Hair gels, dandruff treatment shampoo, conditioners, hair dyes, etc.
- Dental Care: Teeth whitening gels, toothpaste, mouthwashes, etc.
- Bathing Products: Bath oils, bath salts, body washes, etc.
- Skin Care: Creams, anti-itch lotions, face masks, hair-removal creams, sunscreens, etc.
Most of the soaps you find in supermarkets and pharmacies feature this ingredient. In personal care products, SLES 70 serves as an emulsifier. It allows water to mix easily with the rest of the ingredients. It also contributes to the fragrances of these products.
Home Care Products
SLES 70 can create a lot of foam. That’s why it’s used in most home cleaning products (detergents, surface cleaners, etc.) It emulsifies the ingredients in these products, keeping them mixed.
Nicotine Patches
Sodium Laureth Sulphate can be found on nicotine patches. It aggravates the skin and enables the nicotine to travel faster inside the user’s bloodstream.
Make-Up Products
In cosmetic products, SLES 70 serves as an emulsifying agent, keeping the blends of different ingredients compact and fresh.
