Ingredient label reference
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Anionic cleansing surfactant
Cleansing agents and surfactants
An anionic surface-active ingredient used to help lift and disperse oily soil and to build foam in a cleansing formula.
- Also seen as
- SLES · Sodium lauryl ether sulfate · Sodium laureth sulphate · Sodium lauryl ether sulphate
- Reported functions
- Cleansing · Surfactant—emulsifying · Foaming · Surfactant—cleansing
- Example formats
- Rinse-off
Why it may be in a product
It can form part of a blended cleansing base where foam, soil removal, rinse and after-feel are adjusted together.
What the name tells you
It identifies the named surfactant and points to a possible cleansing, foam or emulsifying contribution.
What the label cannot tell you
It cannot establish exact amount, material or CAS specification, degree of ethoxylation, the rest of the surfactant blend, finished pH, cleansing strength, mildness or canine suitability.
Evidence status
CosIng-supported identity and function vocabulary; canine-specific performance and finished-formula evidence are not established.
Reference entries
Evidence and boundaries
Terminology sources, shown plainly.
The glossary uses official European sources to check ingredient terminology and to keep medical, biocidal and finished-product claims outside the glossary. Cosmetic references concern human products; their use here is limited to names and reported formulation functions.
Reference review: 2026-08-25.
Read the Journal editorial method →Discussed in Journal guides
- Dog shampoo ingredients: what are they for?The cleansing system works as a blend · Examples from the fictional cleansing blend. The names do not establish ratios, cleansing strength, mildness or finished-product tolerance.
- Everyday care for sensitive and atopic canine skinAgree on washing and products together · Examples of cleansing-function terminology. These names do not establish finished-product strength, mildness or suitability.
Source 1
European Commission — CosIng databaseA non-binding reference for cosmetic ingredient names and reported functions. It concerns human cosmetics and is used here only as a terminology source, not as canine safety approval.
Source 2
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1175The current EU glossary of common ingredient names for cosmetic product labelling, applicable from 30 July 2026.
Source 3
Regulation (EU) 2019/6 on veterinary medicinal productsRegulatory context for why claims about treating or preventing disease are outside this formulation glossary.
Source 4
Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 on biocidal productsRegulatory context for why disinfection and pest-control claims are outside this formulation glossary.