Newf Brand Harmful Ingredients Glossary

Harmful Ingredients Glossary

It's important to inform yourself about you may or may not be putting in and on your body every day. Newf Brand Bath & Body Care strives to produce all natural alternatives to the chemical-laden products you find on the average drug store shelves. Even some products claiming to be "natural" or "organic" are using these products and deceiving customers about what they really contain.

This Harmful Ingredients Glossary was created to help you increase your awareness about the growing debate surrounding natural cosmetics. We aren't chemists so we encourage you to seek out more information if you have further questions. We have listed our own information sources at the bottom of this page. If you do have a question you think we could answer, please contact us.

L - M

N - O

P - S

Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Surfactant

D - E

T - U

F - G

W - Z

Sodium Laureth Sulfate (aka sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES))

SLS and SLES are detergents and surfactants found in many personal care products (soaps, shampoos, toothpaste, etc.). They are very inexpensive and create an excellent foam.

People with sensitive skin should avoid using products containing SLS or SLES. After the product is washed from the body, it strips moisture from the top layers of skin which could cause further irritation. There are rumors on the internet that these ingredients cause cancer but that is unconfirmed. SLES can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane (considered a probable carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends manufacturers strip out this contaminant. The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association discourages the use of SLS in products intended for prolonged use, unless contained in low concentrations.

Surfactant

The word surfactant results from the blending of the words "surface acting agent." Surfactants are often organic compounds and are soluble in both organic solvents and water. When dissolved in water, a surfactant allows a product to remove dirt from surfaces such as the human skin, textiles, and other solids. Surfactants can be may come from natural sources such as palm oil or tallow or from synthetics like petroleum.

Sources: Wikipedia, CHEC's HeatheHouse Chemical Profiles