Re: I\'m okay with SLES
When I first discovered this board I was puzzled at the amount of people who were avoiding SLS and SLES. Yet, people were using products with Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate and Ammonium Laureth Sulfate without any problems. Both Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate are ionic salts, which are relatively stable in pH and molecular composition. ALS and ALES are both strong bases and both have a rather extreme pH and are very unstable (more reactive) than either SLS or SLES.
I know that many reports say that these ingredients can be extremely dangerous. ALS/ALES are derivatives of ammonia and are commonly used in bleaches and other strong detergents. Would you put put bleach on your skin? Of course not! SLS/SLES, as well as ALS/ALES are often found in milder detergents, such as dish soaps. Would you give your kid Palmolive to drink or put in his eyes? Noo... In other words, just about anything can be dangerous if common sense is not used.
Perhaps these chemicals are not as scary as people think... Or perhaps they are, yet the products that have it may contain another chemical which stabliizes it... I don't think people even realize that Suave Milk & Honey shampoo contains both ALS and ALES, but it works wonders for many. I guess my point is... don't take everything you hear/read too literally and do your research:] And keep using what works best for you! /images/graemlins/smile.gif Here are some links that may help you identify other chemicals in your products:
http://www.aubrey-organics.com/about/dictionary/a_diction.cfm
http://www.cosmeticscop.com/learn/dictionary.asp?TYPE=MAIN
http://www.herballuxuries.com/ingredientslist.htm
http://www.spiralhaircase.com/ingredients.html
This isn't really related, but it is a very good essential oils page. It even tells you what oils blend best with any particular oil:
http://www.essentialoils.co.za/essential_oils/index.htm
Another not related page, but very educational (hehe, sorry. Slipping the chem in... /images/graemlins/sekret.gif ):
http://www.exploratorium.edu/exploring/hair/index.html
