sodium lauryl sulfate

noun

sodium lau·​ryl sulfate -ˈlȯr-əl- 

-ˈlär-

: the crystalline sodium salt C₁₂H₂₅NaO₄S of sulfated lauryl alcohol

also : a mixture of sulfates of sodium consisting principally of this salt and used as a detergent, wetting agent, and emulsifying agent (as in toothpastes, ointments, and shampoos)

Examples of sodium lauryl sulfate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Unlike traditional shampoos, sulfate-free ones do not contain harsh cleansing agents like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) or sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), both of which produce sudsy lathers and strip away natural oils. —Jennifer Hussein, Glamour, 11 Dec. 2025

The 14 ingredient classes include: chemical sunscreens, parabens, phthalates, sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate, cyclic silicones, polyethylene and polypropylene (microbeads), aluminum salts, hydroquinone, triclosan, talc, mineral oil, petrolatum, formaldehyde, and toluene. —Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025

Ingredients to watch out for that cause foam are sodium lauryl sulfate and cocamidopropyl betaine, Rossi says. —Matt Fuchs, TIME, 3 Mar. 2025

People with oily scalps may benefit from shampoos containing sulfates, such as sodium lauryl sulfate, which cleanse excess oil. —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 5 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sodium lauryl sulfate

• acetoacetate
• macroinvertebrate
• oxaloacetate
• phosphoenolpyruvate
• abate
• airfreight
• await
• baseplate
• berate
• birthdate
• birthrate
• bookplate

Medical Definition

sodium lauryl sulfate

noun

: the crystalline sodium salt C₁₂H₂₅NaO₄S of sulfated lauryl alcohol

also : a mixture of sulfates of sodium consisting principally of this salt and used as a detergent, wetting, and emulsifying agent (as in toothpastes, ointments, and shampoos)