Commercial Soap Ingredient Breakdown

You know that dry feeling you get after taking a shower? You might feel clean but that’s a byproduct of the detergent, which is meant to wash off all your oils, including the good oils that protect your skin. So after you’ve washed, you reach for lotion to moisturize. This starts a cycle of using soap to dry out your skin and moisturize it with lotion. Detergent makes sense if you need to wash clothes or dishes, but it’s not something that should be put onto your skin.

In short, we are cleaning our bodies with the same ingredients that we use to clean dishes and laundry! The following ingredients are obtained in most commercial body soap bars, read below, then decide if you are still comfortable with what you are using on your skin, your biggest organ. 

Sodium lauroyl isethionate is a surfactant/detergent used as a cleansing agent and to help lather onto your skin. You’ll find this in shampoos, body washes, facial care, and toothpaste. This chemical can irritate your skin depending on how sensitive your skin is, but for most people, it shouldn't cause an issue.

Sodium Tallowate or Sodium Palmitate are both very different ingredients. Sodium Tallowate is derived from the saponification of tallow (such as fat from cattle or sheep) whereas Sodium Palmitate is created from the saponification of vegetable oils. The use of "or" in the ingredient description is interesting because it is the difference between a vegan or a non-vegan bar. Nevertheless, tallow has an important history in traditional soapmaking and is responsible for how the first soaps are thought to have been created. 

Lauric Acid is derived from whole oils and is typically used to add hardness and a big fluffy lather. However, it is void of glycerin, which is a property that helps moisturize the skin.

Sodium Isethionate helps water cling to the dirt and oil on your skin, allowing it to be washed away. It's considered a mild cleansing agent.

Sodium Stearate is another traditional soap ingredient that is derived from coconut and palm oils. It is the sodium salt of stearic acid and acts as an emulsifier. This ingredient does have a long history of safe use.

Cocamidopropyl Betaine is a synthetic surfactant that helps remove oils from your skin. Because it originates from coconut oil, even some personal care products labeled as natural still contain it. Of all the ingredients listed thus far, this one is mostly likely to be associated with irritation (ie rashes) if used in high concentrations.

Sodium Cocoate is derived from the fatty acids of coconut oil. It is one of the most common ingredients in making soap as it helps cleanse the skin while helping to maintain a "hard" bar.

Sodium Chloride is a common table salt, which is used as a binding agent.

Tetrasodium EDTA and Tetrasodium Etidronate are chelating agents used primarily to improve lather and foaming action while preventing changes in color, texture, and fragrance. In the last decade, more research has come out that says it appears to be a lower-risk ingredient. Depending on who you ask, they are either safe or carcinogenic. However, we feel that real soap should be expected to have a shelf life and discoloring or texture changes should be expected (similar to fresh food), so there is no real need to use this agent.

Titanium Dioxide is typically used to lighten the color of soaps, particularly in creating a pristine white bar. The mineral is processed to remove impurities and it's commonly used in commercial sunscreen products because of its ability to absorb UV light. It's generally considered to be a safe ingredient.

1. Parabens

Parabens are a group of preservatives used in soaps to stop the growth of bacteria and mold. Essentially, they prevent the soap from going bad, which means it can last longer on the shelf.

Parabens can induce skin irritations and allergies in some people but what is even more concerning, is that there is also an ongoing debate as to whether parabens are linked to breast cancer. This is because parabens are believed to mimic estrogen and disrupt the hormone system in your body when used frequently over time.

Parabens have even been discovered in breast tissue. This has raised concerns since it demonstrates that parabens in personal care products can not only be absorbed by the skin but can also remain in the body's tissues.

Parabens have been added to cosmetic products since the 1950s and are still common in skincare products so we may be exposed to them regularly. You probably use soaps that contain these ingredients without knowing it.

So, what can you do to avoid them?

Scan the ingredients list on the back of your soap and if it has parabens as one of the ingredients then it's best to put the soap back on the shelf! The most common ones found in soaps are propylparaben, butylparaben, and methylparaben but regardless all ingredients with paraben compounds will end with 'paraben' so they're easy to spot!

Many companies have started to create soaps without these ingredients to provide a safer option for their consumers but it's always best to double check.

2. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)

SLS is a surfactant that breaks down grease so that it can be dissolved and washed away with water. It's also a good foaming agent, causing liquids to foam while providing the thick lather that most of us desire when washing our hands and bodies.

It's also added to many household cleaning products, such as laundry detergent or toothpaste!

The problem with this soap ingredient is that long-term usage of SLS soap can cause your skin to become dry and irritated. As it affects skin proteins, the epidermis (outer skin layer) is damaged and so the skin turns dehydrated, cracked, and sore!

So, it's best to choose soap without this ingredient, especially if you suffer from eczema, psoriasis, or other skin conditions.

3. Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)

Although it has a less irritating effect on the skin than SLS, SLES, or in full terms, Sodium Laureth Sulfate is far from a skin nourishing ingredient.

It originally starts as SLS before it is modified into Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) through ethoxylatoin (where ethylene oxide is added to the compound).

SLES can cause redness, damage to the epidermis, and skin irritation. It can also cause tiny tears in the skin that allow dirt and bacteria to enter and become trapped underneath, which develops into acne!

Ingredients that have a similar effect are Ammonium Laureth Sulfate (ALES) and Sodium Xylene Sulfonate (SXS).

If the product states that it is "just" SLS-free, it's more than likely made with SLES, since despite their similar chemical structure, they are not technically the same substance. On the same token, products labeled 'SLES free' may also contain SLS.

That's why choosing soaps that are 'sulfate-free' is the best way you to buy soaps without these ingredients!

4. Triclosan

This soap ingredient is often used as an antimicrobial or antibacterial agent in soap but it's been under a lot of scrutiny in recent years.

Studies on mice found that triclosan could lead to inflammatory bowel disease as it alters the intestinal microbiota which increases the risk for bowel cancer. There are also signs to show that triclosan encourages antibiotic resistance and interference with hormonal systems.

It's also found in many other household items such as cleaning products, toothpaste, and even children's toys. Many doctors have called for more investigation into the chemical and the Food and Drug Administration has banned the use of the triclosan in soaps and body washes, yet no ban has been set.

So, we recommend that you avoid soaps containing triclosan!

5. Ethanolamine Compounds

Ethanolamines are ammonia compounds used in soaps and other cosmetics including eyeliner, mascara, eye shadow, and foundation. They are also found in body washes, shampoos, and sunscreen as well as cleaning products.

Ethanolamines are primarily used as emulsifiers, fragrances, and foaming agents.

The most common ethanolamine compounds are diethanolamine (DEA), triethanolamine (TEA) and monoethanolamine (MEA). 

The real danger occurs when ethanolamine's are used alongside specific preservatives that break down into nitrogen. These two chemicals combined can form nitrosamines which are considered carcinogens and can produce cancer in various organs including the lungs, brain, kidney, and liver to name a few. 

Other reports found not just organ toxicity from frequent exposure to nitrosamines but also a disruption to our hormone balance as well as being harmful to the environment.

They are deemed to be safe in products that are only for brief use which is followed by rinsing off the skin. However, the fact that they are only permitted to be used in quick washes where they are not on the skin for a long time is a definite alarm bell!

As nitrosamines are not listed on the product ingredients, we recommend avoiding any soaps (or while we're on the topic, all products) that include diethanolamine, triethanolamine, and monoethanolamine. 

These compounds not only irritate the skin but also dry it out and can cause inflammation for those with allergies.

DEA, TEA, and MEA are frequently used to increase the foam in products but as we now know the foamier a product the more it is drying on your skin! These ethanolamines can swing your PH balance completely off leaving your skin tender, dry and irritated!

Try our Nourish Vegan body soaps, gentle on your skin and the earth. Completely free of SLS, parabens, artificial colorants and fragrances, and any other chemical ingredients.

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