Spawned by lab scientists in a maniacal search for a cheap and effective foaming agent, sodium lauryl sulphate, or CH3(CH2)10CH2(OCH2CH2)nOSO3Na, is now threatening to overtake the world—with cancer. The Journal of Investigative Dermatology recently published a study positing that skin products, shampoos, etc. containing sodium lauryl sulphate may augment the probability of developing the skin cancer squamous cell carcinoma. The four moisturizers tested were quite common: Eucerin, Dermovan, Vanicream, and Dermabase.

According to the Journal of Investigative Dermatology abstract, “Irradiation of SKH-1 mice with UVB (30 mJ cm-2) twice a week for 20 weeks resulted in mice with a high risk of developing skin tumors over the next several months in the absence of further irradiation with UVB (high-risk mice). Topical applications of 100 mg of Dermabase, Dermovan, Eucerin Original Moisturizing Cream (Eucerin), or Vanicream once a day, 5 days a week for 17 weeks to these high-risk mice increased significantly the rate of formation of tumors and the rate of increase in tumor size per mouse.”

Although the study is not conclusive because it was conducted by testing high-risk mice, it tends to be better to be safe than sorry, at least when it comes to cancer. A simple way to be safe is abstinence—from products containing SLS (go for all the other stuff though.) Try these products which are SLS-free:

• Ayurveda Aromatherapy: body scrubs, shampoos, conditioners, lip balm, and essential oils
• John Ryan Associates: hair dyes and perming agents
• A’kin: botanical shampoos, conditioners, hair masques, leave-in conditioning treatments, facial cleansers, toners, facial scrubs, hydrating mists, eye cream, moisturizer, essential oils, lip balm, body wash, lotions, and hand soaps
• Desert Essence: sun protection lotion, shampoos, conditioners, chapsticks, facial cleansers
• Avalon Organics: facial cleansers, toners, moisturizers, shampoos, conditioners, shaving creams, lotions, soaps, bath and shower gels
• JASON: body washes, shampoos, conditioners, shaving creams, facial scrubs, facial cleansers, moisturizers, sunscreens, lip balms, and lip tints