Look for SLS-Free Products!

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or Sodium Laureth Sulfate are ingredients used in shampoos, soaps, and toothpastes as a foaming agent. Why? It's cheap and helps distribute the product. BUT, SLS is also an irritant and best avoided if you have sensitive skin or don't wish to dry out your skin and hair.

Wikipedia states:

"Products containing these substances can affect those prone to eczema and other irritants. These substances provide a foaming quality to the product, allowing for better distribution of the product while washing hair or skin and while brushing teeth. When rinsed off, the product will have cleaned the area but will have taken moisture from the top layers of skin. In people with sensitive skin (prone to dermatitis, acne, eczema, psoriasis and chemical sensitivity), the drying property of these type of detergents can cause flare-ups of skin conditions or may worsen existing conditions."

The FDA encourages manufacturers to remove these ingredients but currently, it is not required by law.

If you are looking for a good SLS-free Shampoo and Conditioner, we LOVE the Trader Joe's Nourish Spa Brand. For $2.50 a bottle, it's the best Shampoo/Conditioner combo we've come across. It has other great ingredients such as sea kelp to "feed" your hair. And, it smells terrific!