Why SLS is Bad for Your Family (And What to Use Instead)
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If you’ve ever noticed your hands feeling dry, tight, or irritated after washing — SLS is likely the culprit. It’s hiding in almost every handwash bottle in Indian homes right now.
What is SLS?
SLS stands for Sodium Lauryl Sulphate — a harsh synthetic surfactant used in most conventional handwashes, shampoos, and body washes. It’s cheap, produces lots of foam, and is incredibly effective at stripping oils. That’s exactly the problem.
Why is SLS Harmful?
Your skin has a natural barrier that protects it from bacteria, pollution, and moisture loss. SLS strips this barrier with every wash. The result?
- Dry, cracked hands — especially during Indian winters
- Skin irritation and redness — particularly in children
- Disrupted skin microbiome — making skin more vulnerable
- Environmental damage — SLS is toxic to aquatic organisms
How Common is SLS in Indian Handwashes?
Look at the back of any mainstream Indian handwash — Dettol, Lifebuoy, Dove, Santoor. SLS or SLES appears in almost all of them. Even products marketed as “gentle” or “natural” often contain SLES, a sulphate-based surfactant with similar concerns.
The Safer Alternative: Coconut-Based Surfactants
The answer is coconut-based surfactants — derived from coconut oil rather than petroleum. These are gentle on skin, biodegradable, safe for children, and still effective at cleaning.
How Klanora Makes SLS-Free Handwash
At Klanora, every handwash tablet is formulated with coconut-derived surfactants and Aloe Vera Powder to actively nourish your skin. Our dissolvable tablets are also plastic-free — one tablet replaces an entire handwash bottle.
