Information › Ingredients › Sulfates (SLS, SLES)
Sulfates (SLS, SLES): what they are and how they read on the label
Updated on 4 November 2026
At a glance
- Kind
- In personal care products
- Also as
- sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate, ammonium laureth sulfate, sodium coco sulfate
- Without sulfates (SLS, SLES)
- 267 products
- Contain it
- 134 products
- Supermarkets
- AH, Jumbo, PLUS, Dirk and Hoogvliet
What are sulfates (SLS, SLES)?
Sulfates such as SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) and SLES (sodium laureth sulfate) are the strong cleansers in shampoo and shower gel. They foam well but can dry out sensitive skin.
Recognise
On a Dutch label as
- sodium lauryl sulfate
- sodium laureth sulfate
- ammonium lauryl sulfate
- ammonium laureth sulfate
- sodium coco sulfate
Not sulfates (SLS, SLES)
- coco-glucoside and decyl glucoside (milder cleansers)
We look for these Dutch words in the ingredient list itself, also between brackets. If in doubt, read the pack.
Shopping
Examples without sulfates (SLS, SLES)
- Gliss Conditioner total repairGliss · 200 mlAlbert Heijn € 6,99 1+1Jumbo € 6,99Contains: Benzylalcohol, Fragrance, Limoneen, Parabens, Propylene glycol, Silicones
- Fa Men sport deodorant sprayFa · 150 mlAlbert Heijn € 4,19 1+1PLUS € 4,19Contains: Alcohol, Benzylalcohol, Citronellol, Fragrance, Hexyl cinnamal, Linalool, Propylene glycol
- Sensodyne Cool mint mondwaterSensodyne · 0,5 lAlbert Heijn € 6,99Jumbo € 6,99No allergens listed
- Smyle Tandpasta superwhite & freshSmyle · 80 mlAlbert Heijn € 7,49Jumbo € 7,49No allergens listed
- L'Oréal Wrinkle Expert Anti-Rimpel Dagcrème 50MLL'Oréal · 50 mlJumbo € 9,99Contains: Fragrance, Propylene glycol, Silicones
- AXE Deodorant Bodyspray Africa 200 mlAxeJumbo € 53,94Contains: Alcohol, Citronellol, Coumarine, Fragrance, Geraniol, Hexyl cinnamal, Linalool
All 267 personal care products without sulfates (SLS, SLES) (in Dutch)
What to look for in the shop
- Read the ingredient list (INCI) on the pack: the substances are there under their English or Latin names.
- A ‘free from’ claim on the front is a good sign, but the list on the back decides.
Good to know
How do sulfates (SLS, SLES) read on a Dutch label?As sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate, ammonium laureth sulfate and sodium coco sulfate.
As sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate, ammonium laureth sulfate and sodium coco sulfate. We look for those words in the ingredient list itself, also in compound ingredients between brackets.
How many personal care products contain sulfates (SLS, SLES)?134 of the 401 personal care products with an ingredient list, about 33%.
134 of the 401 personal care products with an ingredient list, about 33%. The other 267 do not name it.
A choice of your own, not an allergy
Sulfates (SLS, SLES) are not an allergen: whether you eat or use them is up to you. We show what the ingredient list says, so you can choose. Recipes change: if in doubt, the pack in your hand decides.
More ingredients under Ingredients; allergens under Allergies.
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