Ingredient list › Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate comedogenic?
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is a cleansing/foaming agent. Its comedogenicity rating is 5/5 — high pore-clogging risk.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate sits high on the comedogenic scale. For acne-prone or breakout-prone skin it is one of the ingredients most likely to block pores and contribute to blackheads, whiteheads and pimples, especially when it appears near the top of an ingredient list (higher concentration).
What is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate?
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is a cleansing/foaming agent. On a product label it may also appear under names such as: sls, sodium lauryl sulfate.
Fungal-acne (Malassezia) safe? Yes — it is not on common Malassezia trigger lists. Check a whole product for fungal-acne triggers →
Acne-safe alternatives to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
If Sodium Lauryl 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.