Sodium Coco-Sulfate, not your average sulfate
The first ingredient of a Yas Alpaca shampoo bar is Sodium Coco-Sulfate. If the word sulfate gives you pause, we get it. Sulfates are on most people’s list of ingredients to avoid. But not all sulfates were created equal. In this blog, we'll describe what sulfates are, do, and the current controversies.
Sodium Coco-Sulfate, not your average sulfate
The first ingredient of a Yas Alpaca shampoo bar is Sodium Coco-Sulfate. If the word sulfate gives you pause, we get it. Sulfates are on most people’s list of ingredients to avoid. But not all sulfates were created equal. In this blog, we'll describe what sulfates are, do, and the current controversies.
Sodium Coco-Sulfate, not your average sulfate
The first ingredient of a Yas Alpaca shampoo bar is Sodium Coco-Sulfate. If the word sulfate gives you pause, we get it. Sulfates are on most people’s list of ingredients to avoid. But not all sulfates were created equal. In this blog, we'll describe what sulfates are, do, and the current controversies.
What do sulfates do?
Sulfates are surfactants, which means they attract oil and water. They are made up of two main parts: a head that "loves" water and fatty acid tails that "hate" water and "love" oil. They form bubbles around grime and dead skin cells, which allow them to be removed from your skin and scalp and washed away with water. They’re essentially what makes most shampoos sudsy and foamy. If you’re thinking, I like that sudsy-foamy-delicious shampoo experience! We get it--so do we.
What do sulfates do?
Sulfates are surfactants, which means they attract oil and water. They are made up of two main parts: a head that "loves" water and fatty acid tails that "hate" water and "love" oil. They form bubbles around grime and dead skin cells, which allow them to be removed from your skin and scalp and washed away with water. They’re essentially what makes most shampoos sudsy and foamy. If you’re thinking, I like that sudsy-foamy-delicious shampoo experience! We get it--so do we.
What do sulfates do?
Sulfates are surfactants, which means they attract oil and water. They are made up of two main parts: a head that "loves" water and fatty acid tails that "hate" water and "love" oil. They form bubbles around grime and dead skin cells, which allow them to be removed from your skin and scalp and washed away with water. They’re essentially what makes most shampoos sudsy and foamy. If you’re thinking, I like that sudsy-foamy-delicious shampoo experience! We get it--so do we.
So, what’s the difference among the sulfates?
The essential difference is the length of the fatty acid tails. For example, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is made up of a single length of fatty acid called lauric acid. This is the most efficient of the cosmetic sulfates, which means it's great at forming bubbles around dirt and grime. Sodium coco-sulfate is derived from a blend of fatty acids, including lauric acid; it is less efficient and among the mildest of the cosmetic sulfates.
So, what’s the difference among the sulfates?
The essential difference is the length of the fatty acid tails. For example, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is made up of a single length of fatty acid called lauric acid. This is the most efficient of the cosmetic sulfates, which means it's great at forming bubbles around dirt and grime. Sodium coco-sulfate is derived from a blend of fatty acids, including lauric acid; it is less efficient and among the mildest of the cosmetic sulfates.
So, what’s the difference among the sulfates?
The essential difference is the length of the fatty acid tails. For example, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is made up of a single length of fatty acid called lauric acid. This is the most efficient of the cosmetic sulfates, which means it's great at forming bubbles around dirt and grime. Sodium coco-sulfate is derived from a blend of fatty acids, including lauric acid; it is less efficient and among the mildest of the cosmetic sulfates.
So, why do people avoid sulfates?
The controversies about sulfates are fourfold:
So, why do people avoid sulfates?
The controversies about sulfates are fourfold:
So, why do people avoid sulfates?
The controversies about sulfates are fourfold:
1. Sulfates can be too good at cleaning. Instead of just taking away dirt and grime, they can strip natural oils from the scalp and hair. This can make hair dry and brittle. If you are blessed with a sensitive scalp, sulfates can also cause irritation like redness, dryness, and itching. To avoid or reduce these potential side effects, you should look to use milder sulfates or skip them altogether. From the strongest to mildest, these are the most commonly used sulfates: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), and Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate.
1. Sulfates can be too good at cleaning. Instead of just taking away dirt and grime, they can strip natural oils from the scalp and hair. This can make hair dry and brittle. If you are blessed with a sensitive scalp, sulfates can also cause irritation like redness, dryness, and itching. To avoid or reduce these potential side effects, you should look to use milder sulfates or skip them altogether. From the strongest to mildest, these are the most commonly used sulfates: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), and Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate.
1. Sulfates can be too good at cleaning. Instead of just taking away dirt and grime, they can strip natural oils from the scalp and hair. This can make hair dry and brittle. If you are blessed with a sensitive scalp, sulfates can also cause irritation like redness, dryness, and itching. To avoid or reduce these potential side effects, you should look to use milder sulfates or skip them altogether. From the strongest to mildest, these are the most commonly used sulfates: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), and Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate.
2. Worry that sulfates cause cancer. There is no evidence that sulfates cause cancer, but the second big controversy is the carcinogenic (cancer-causing) potential of SLES byproduct, 1-4-dioxane. Produced as a result of ethoxylation of SLES during the manufacturing process, 1-4 dioxane is a known carcinogen. While there are limits to 1-4-dioxane expressly added to a product, companies are not required to list 1,4-dioxane if it is the result of the manufacturing process. For that reason, we do suggest skipping Sodium Laureth Sulfate or SLES.
2. Worry that sulfates cause cancer. There is no evidence that sulfates cause cancer, but the second big controversy is the carcinogenic (cancer-causing) potential of SLES byproduct, 1-4-dioxane. Produced as a result of ethoxylation of SLES during the manufacturing process, 1-4 dioxane is a known carcinogen. While there are limits to 1-4-dioxane expressly added to a product, companies are not required to list 1,4-dioxane if it is the result of the manufacturing process. For that reason, we do suggest skipping Sodium Laureth Sulfate or SLES.
2. Worry that sulfates cause cancer. There is no evidence that sulfates cause cancer, but the second big controversy is the carcinogenic (cancer-causing) potential of SLES byproduct, 1-4-dioxane. Produced as a result of ethoxylation of SLES during the manufacturing process, 1-4 dioxane is a known carcinogen. While there are limits to 1-4-dioxane expressly added to a product, companies are not required to list 1,4-dioxane if it is the result of the manufacturing process. For that reason, we do suggest skipping Sodium Laureth Sulfate or SLES.
2. Worry that sulfates cause cancer. There is no evidence that sulfates cause cancer, but the second big controversy is the carcinogenic (cancer-causing) potential of SLES byproduct, 1-4-dioxane. Produced as a result of ethoxylation of SLES during the manufacturing process, 1-4 dioxane is a known carcinogen. While there are limits to 1-4-dioxane expressly added to a product, companies are not required to list 1,4-dioxane if it is the result of the manufacturing process. For that reason, we do suggest skipping Sodium Laureth Sulfate or SLES.
3. Sulfates are not natural. The third reason is less straightforward and perhaps best classified as lack of understanding. Sulfates are derived from natural ingredients like coconut oil or palm oil, but they are modified. There is a movement to avoid sulfates because they are a synthetic product (as opposed to natural). Natural, however, does not mean "safe"; arsenic is 100% natural and 100% fatal in small doses, for example.
3. Sulfates are not natural. The third reason is less straightforward and perhaps best classified as lack of understanding. Sulfates are derived from natural ingredients like coconut oil or palm oil, but they are modified. There is a movement to avoid sulfates because they are a synthetic product (as opposed to natural). Natural, however, does not mean "safe"; arsenic is 100% natural and 100% fatal in small doses, for example.
3. Sulfates are not natural. The third reason is less straightforward and perhaps best classified as lack of understanding. Sulfates are derived from natural ingredients like coconut oil or palm oil, but they are modified. There is a movement to avoid sulfates because they are a synthetic product (as opposed to natural). Natural, however, does not mean "safe"; arsenic is 100% natural and 100% fatal in small doses, for example.
4. Source of sulfates. Unless expressly stated, it is tough to know the source of sulfates. Keep a lookout for the palm oil free or the Orangutan Alliance label, this means the product is free of palm oil, an ingredient linked to deforestation and habitat degradation. Or if the product does include palm oil, make sure that the palm is sustainably sourced. (Yas Alpaca's sodium coco-sulfate is derived from coconut oil.)
4. Source of sulfates. Unless expressly stated, it is tough to know the source of sulfates. Keep a lookout for the palm oil free or the Orangutan Alliance label, this means the product is free of palm oil, an ingredient linked to deforestation and habitat degradation. Or if the product does include palm oil, make sure that the palm is sustainably sourced. (Yas Alpaca's sodium coco-sulfate is derived from coconut oil.)
4. Source of sulfates. Unless expressly stated, it is tough to know the source of sulfates. Keep a lookout for the palm oil free or the Orangutan Alliance label, this means the product is free of palm oil, an ingredient linked to deforestation and habitat degradation. Or if the product does include palm oil, make sure that the palm is sustainably sourced. (Yas Alpaca's sodium coco-sulfate is derived from coconut oil.)
Why do we use sulfates?
Though it hasn’t been subjected to as much testing and scrutiny as has more widely used ingredients, sodium coco-sulfate does seem to be a safer, gentler alternative to SLS (it is the primary sulfate used in baby shampoos). We like the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) certification for surfactants; sodium coco-sulfate is rated a "1," this is the highest safety rating EWG gives. By comparison, SLS is given a "1" or "2" rating depending on usage. We use sodium coco-sulfate because want our shampoo bars to give you that sudsy-foamy-delicious experience without irritating your scalp or giving you another cancer-causing ingredient to worry about.
Why do we use sulfates?
Though it hasn’t been subjected to as much testing and scrutiny as has more widely used ingredients, sodium coco-sulfate does seem to be a safer, gentler alternative to SLS (it is the primary sulfate used in baby shampoos). We like the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) certification for surfactants; sodium coco-sulfate is rated a "1," this is the highest safety rating EWG gives. By comparison, SLS is given a "1" or "2" rating depending on usage. We use sodium coco-sulfate because want our shampoo bars to give you that sudsy-foamy-delicious experience without irritating your scalp or giving you another cancer-causing ingredient to worry about.
Why do we use sulfates?
Though it hasn’t been subjected to as much testing and scrutiny as has more widely used ingredients, sodium coco-sulfate does seem to be a safer, gentler alternative to SLS (it is the primary sulfate used in baby shampoos). We like the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) certification for surfactants; sodium coco-sulfate is rated a "1," this is the highest safety rating EWG gives. By comparison, SLS is given a "1" or "2" rating depending on usage. We use sodium coco-sulfate because want our shampoo bars to give you that sudsy-foamy-delicious experience without irritating your scalp or giving you another cancer-causing ingredient to worry about.