# Sodium lauryl sulfate

Page: https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/sodium-lauryl-sulfate

The Lovi Fit is the same in every country; only the stores and prices differ, and the ones here are for Canada.

[Sodium](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/sodium) lauryl sulfate creates a gentle lather in [serums](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/serum) that cleans the surface of most skin types. This dependable cleanser suits everyday routines well when kept apart from [benzoyl peroxide](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/benzoyl-peroxide) and [retinol](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/retinol). Selecting this ingredient brings clean, reliable results to your daily regimen.

[The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18007579/) [Pharmaceutics, 2021](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33804924/) [Inflammation Research, 2010](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20358390/)

This page shows sodium lauryl sulfate products with a Lovi page. For every product, and a routine built for your skin, use the Lovi app.

### Popular [sodium](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/sodium) lauryl sulfate products

- [Ialuset Hyaluronic Acid Cream](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/p/ialuset/hyaluronic-acid-cream/for/dark-spots) — Average fit

## What to combine sodium lauryl sulfate with

Ingredient Together How to use them

[Benzoyl peroxide](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/benzoyl-peroxide) Keep apart Use them at different times of day, applying the cleanser first and the [benzoyl peroxide](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/benzoyl-peroxide) later, because combining them causes severe skin dryness. [Sodium lauryl sulfate and benzoyl peroxide](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/benzoyl-peroxide-and-sodium-lauryl-sulfate) [Retinol](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/retinol) Keep apart Use them on alternate nights, applying [retinol](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/retinol) on one night and [sodium](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/sodium) lauryl sulfate on the other, because combining them causes skin irritation. [Sodium lauryl sulfate and retinol](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/retinol-and-sodium-lauryl-sulfate)

From the ingredient rules behind the "Works well with" and "Don't mix with" notes on every product in the Lovi app.

## Questions and answers

### What does sodium lauryl sulfate do for the skin?

[Sodium](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/sodium) lauryl sulfate is a cleanser that removes dirt and oil, but it may disrupt the skin barrier and induce local skin irritation. Repeated exposure to sodium lauryl sulfate alters keratinocyte differentiation markers during the skin repair phase.

[The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18007579/) [Inflammation Research, 2010](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20358390/)

### How do you use sodium lauryl sulfate?

Sodium lauryl sulfate may cause skin irritation, so it is important to keep it apart from [retinol](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/retinol) by using them on alternate nights. Similarly, keep sodium lauryl sulfate apart from [benzoyl peroxide](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/benzoyl-peroxide) by using them at different times of day with the cleanser first, because combining them causes severe skin dryness.

[The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18007579/)

### Should you use sodium lauryl sulfate in the morning or at night?

When using sodium lauryl sulfate alongside benzoyl peroxide, apply the cleanser first in the morning or at a different time of day and use the benzoyl peroxide later to prevent severe skin dryness. When pairing it with retinol, use them on alternate nights to avoid skin irritation.

### Can you use sodium lauryl sulfate every day?

Sodium lauryl sulfate may cause skin barrier disruption and inflammation with frequent use, so you should monitor how your skin reacts. Daily use depends on your skin's tolerance and whether you combine it with irritating ingredients.

[The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18007579/) [Inflammation Research, 2010](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20358390/)

### Does sodium lauryl sulfate cause purging or irritation?

Sodium lauryl sulfate may cause skin irritation because it disrupts the skin barrier and induces local inflammation. It is unlikely to cause purging, as that is a process associated with cell-turnover accelerators rather than surfactants.

[The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18007579/) [Inflammation Research, 2010](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20358390/)

### Which skin types is sodium lauryl sulfate best for?

Sodium lauryl sulfate may cause skin irritation and barrier disruption, so it is unlikely to be best for sensitive skin types.

[The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18007579/) [The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30637727/)

### Can you use sodium lauryl sulfate with benzoyl peroxide?

You should keep sodium lauryl sulfate and benzoyl peroxide apart by using them at different times of day, applying the cleanser first and the benzoyl peroxide later, because combining them causes severe skin dryness.

## Research on sodium lauryl sulfate

- [Skin barrier disruption by sodium lauryl sulfate-exposure alters the expressions of involucrin, transglutaminase 1, profilaggrin, and kallikreins during the repair phase in human skin in vivo](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18007579/) Sodium lauryl sulfate · The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008
- [Changes in Skin Barrier Function after Repeated Exposition to Phospholipid-Based Surfactants and Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate In Vivo and Corneocyte Surface Analysis by Atomic Force Microscopy](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33804924/) Sodium lauryl sulfate · Pharmaceutics, 2021
- [A novel model of inflammatory pain in human skin involving topical application of sodium lauryl sulfate](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20358390/) Sodium lauryl sulfate · Inflammation Research, 2010
- [Anatomical site differences of sodium lauryl sulfate-induced irritation: randomized controlled trial](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30637727/) Sodium lauryl sulfate · The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019

## Combining sodium lauryl sulfate

- Keep them apart: [Retinol and sodium lauryl sulfate](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/retinol-and-sodium-lauryl-sulfate)
- Keep them apart: [Benzoyl peroxide and sodium lauryl sulfate](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/benzoyl-peroxide-and-sodium-lauryl-sulfate)

## Brands with sodium lauryl sulfate

- French skincare: [Ialuset](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/brands/ialuset)

## Related ingredients

- [Benzoyl peroxide](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/benzoyl-peroxide)
- [Retinol](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/retinol)

## About the Lovi Fit

Lovi: Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes.

Lovi checks every ingredient with brand-independent rules its dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update. Levels from best to worst: Superior, High, Average, Low, Caution, Warning.

Behind this ingredient guide: Nadia Kapleva, MS (Co-founder, Medical Director); Alexey Shagraev, PhD (Co-founder, CEO and CTO); Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc (Medical Board); Aishani Shah, MD (Medical Board); Asya Zubkova, MS (Medical Board); Hanna Kurets, MD (Medical Board, Medical Advisor); Elina Nazarenko, MD (Medical Board); Victoria Derkova, MS (Medical Board).

Page built Nov 8, 2026.

More from Lovi: https://lovi.care/skincare/llms.txt

## This page in other countries

- United States: https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/sodium-lauryl-sulfate
- United Kingdom: https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/sodium-lauryl-sulfate
- Ireland: https://lovi.care/skincare/ie/ingredients/sodium-lauryl-sulfate
- Germany: https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/sodium-lauryl-sulfate
- France: https://lovi.care/skincare/fr/ingredients/sodium-lauryl-sulfate
- Italy: https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/sodium-lauryl-sulfate
- Netherlands: https://lovi.care/skincare/nl/ingredients/sodium-lauryl-sulfate
- Spain: https://lovi.care/skincare/es/ingredients/sodium-lauryl-sulfate
- Canada: https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/sodium-lauryl-sulfate (this page)
- Australia: https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/sodium-lauryl-sulfate
- Singapore: https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/sodium-lauryl-sulfate
- Saudi Arabia: https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/sodium-lauryl-sulfate
- United Arab Emirates: https://lovi.care/skincare/ae/ingredients/sodium-lauryl-sulfate
