It's Time to Ditch the Sulfates - Improve Your Skin and Protect the Earth

In today’s world, consumers are becoming more and more interested and aware about the products they are using, how these products are being manufactured, and what they are made of. One topic that has generated a lot of buzz recently is the use of sulfates in hair and skin care products. In this blog we are going to tell you what Sulfates are and what it really means to be using products that contain them.

Sulfates are detergent-based ingredients that have been used in cleansing products for hair, body, and skin since the 1930’s. The most commonly used sulfate-based ingredient in personal care products is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS). SLSs are chemicals are introduced into products to produce a foaming lather and give skin a soft and clean feeling. However, recent studies have shown that this is not necessarily the case.

Because sulfates are detergent-based chemicals, the repeated use of them on hair or skin can cause irritation and dryness. While the initial reason in using sulfates in our products was to effectively clean and remove the buildup of dirt, recent research has shown that it also results in stripping away skin’s natural oils and proteins. When these oils are depleted, skin is much more prone to inflammation and itchy reactions. And, if you have sensitive skin or skin conditions such as dermatitis and eczema, sulfate-containing products may worsen your conditions, heavily dry out your skin, and cause more outbreaks.

Soaps and body washes without sulfates are also recommended for skin that is susceptible to clogged pores. Sulfate-based cleansers contain certain chemicals that run the risk of taking away skin’s natural oils, and when this happens the skin tries to make up for all the lost oils, fats and proteins. This can result in very oily skin. By drying out your skin and altering your skin’s pH balance, you are also making it harder for your skin to function as a protective barrier. By using a sulfate-free soap, you can help your skin restore its natural pH balance while also lowering the risk of unnecessarily oily skin, blemishes, and breakouts.

Another important factor to consider is the impact of using sulfates has on the environment. For our eco-friendly customers, it is important to know that sulfate-free soaps and formulas are much better for the environment. There are various chemicals used in the production of sulfate-based products and the disposal of these chemicals at the end of the process poses a heavy threat to the planet.

At Bela Bath and Beauty, we do not use any sulfate-related ingredients in our products to ensure the best experience for our customers. Creating an in-home spa experience while being protectors of the earth by striving to reduce our impact on it by responsibly sourcing natural ingredients for our bath and beauty line is our top priority.