Ingredient list › Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Is Sodium Laureth Sulfate comedogenic?
Sodium Laureth Sulfate is a cleansing/foaming agent. Its comedogenicity rating is 3/5 — moderate pore-clogging risk.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate has a moderate chance of clogging pores. Plenty of people tolerate it, but if you break out easily it is worth watching — particularly if it is one of the first few ingredients listed.
What is Sodium Laureth Sulfate?
Sodium Laureth Sulfate is a cleansing/foaming agent. On a product label it may also appear under names such as: sles, sodium laureth sulfate.
Fungal-acne (Malassezia) safe? No — this is a common Malassezia (fungal acne) trigger, so avoid it if you have fungal acne. Check a whole product for fungal-acne triggers →
Acne-safe alternatives to Sodium Laureth Sulfate
If Sodium Laureth Sulfate breaks you out, these lower-rated surfactant options are far less likely to clog pores:
- Coco-Glucoside — Acne safe · 0/5
- Decyl Glucoside — Acne safe · 0/5
- Cocamidopropyl Betaine — Low risk · 1/5
How to read this rating
A comedogenicity rating is general guidance, not a lab result for a specific formula. An ingredient near the end of an ingredient list is present in a small amount, so its rating matters less than one near the top. Read our full sources & methodology.