Are you looking to switch to plant-based surfactants body wash to avoid SLS and other harsh chemicals that are found in many cosmetics? The good news is that there are lots of natural surfactants out there and some of the leading cosmetic companies are now formulating effective SLS-free body washes using them.
Natural surfactants are derived from a range of different plants. Common sources of natural surfactants include coconut and palm trees, but they can also be sourced from many different fruit and vegetable plants. The market for natural surfactants has never been greater, with more and more consumers seeking to switch to plant-based cosmetics. You will find all manner of SLS-free cosmetics in the marketplace today, including facial cleansers, shower gels, bar soaps, shampoos, body washes and bath foams.
It’s important to note that a lot of natural surfactants are not palm-free. Therefore, you need to read ingredient labels carefully if you want to avoid supporting unsustainable farming methods. You can also look for products that are RSPO certified.
Here are some of the most used natural surfactants:
1. Coco-Glucoside
This non-ionic surfactant is derived from fruit sugars and coconut oil, but it can also be extracted from corn and potatoes. It is completely biodegradable and is an excellent gentle cleanser. Lots of people like body washes containing coco glucoside because it is foamy, making it easy to lather.
2. Decyl Glucoside
Decyl glucoside, like coco glucoside, is a non-ionic surfactant. It is not as foamy as coco glucoside, but it does make cleansers more viscose. It is sourced from glucose and coconut oil and is fully biodegradable. It is commonly added to baby washes, shampoos, hand cleansers, and shower gels.
3. Lauryl Glucoside
Lauryl glucoside, while still a mild cleanser, it a bit more viscose than decyl glucoside and coco glucoside, so it is not often used in baby products. It produces more stable foam and is often used in bath products and shampoos.
4. Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
Disodium laureth sulfosuccinate is a great natural, gentle, anionic surfactant for people who have sensitive skin. It has larger molecules than many other plant-based surfactants, so it is unable to penetrate skin cells and cause irritation. It is commonly used in natural shampoo and body wash formulas.
5. Coco Betaine
Coco betaine has a neutral pH between 6 and 8 and is entirely biodegradable. It has great gentle cleansing properties and is a coconut-derived amphoteric surfactant. It is good for increasing the viscosity of cleansers.
Mentioned above are just a few of the natural surfactants that you might find in the best plant-based surfactants body washes. To find the right product for your skin and hair type, you might want to request sample-sized SLS-free body washes from a range of natural cosmetic manufacturers. That way, you can see which wash works best with your skin type before investing in a full-sized bottle. Keep in mind that just because cosmetics are advertised as natural or plant-based, it doesn’t mean that they can’t cause skin irritations in some individuals.
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