The Harsh Reality
SLS and SLES are great cleaners.
But they strip the skin.
They remove the natural lipid barrier.
Red skin. Itching. Dryness.
If you sell this for babies or sensitive skin, you will get complaints.
You Don’t Need Expensive New Ingredients
You don’t need to throw away SLES and buy expensive Amino Acids (unless you can sell it for a high price).
You just need to “tame” the SLES.
The Magic of Synergy
In chemistry, 1 + 1 = 3.
If you mix Anionic (SLES) with Amphoteric (Betaine/CAB), magic happens.
The Betaine molecule inserts itself between the SLES molecules.
It changes the structure of the “micelle.”
It creates a shield.
The Golden Ratio:
For a standard shampoo, try a ratio of 5:1 or 4:1.
(5 parts SLES to 1 part CAB).
This drastically lowers irritation without killing the foam.
Other Gentle Helpers
APG (Alkyl Polyglucoside):
Very mild. Made from corn/sugar.
Adding just a small amount helps mildness.
Glycerin:
It doesn’t change the surfactant, but it moisturizes the skin after washing.
It masks the dry feeling.
What About “Sulfate-Free”?
“Sulfate-Free” is a marketing trend.
It means no SLES or SLS.
It’s much harder to thicken. It foams less. It costs 3x more.
My advice:
Unless your client specifically demands “Sulfate-Free,” stick to the SLES + CAB combo.
It is mild enough for 90% of adults.
It is affordable.
It performs better.
The Bottom Line
Don’t sell raw SLES as a body wash. That’s cruel.
Always pair it with a “partner” like CAB (Betaine).
It costs a little more, but your customers will notice the difference immediately.
