ABSTRACT
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is an anionic surface active agent used as an
emulsifier in many pharmaceutical vehicles, cosmetics, foaming dentifrices,
and foods, and it is the sodium salt of lauryl sulfate that conforms to the
formula: CH3(CH2)10CH2OSO3Na (Nikitakis et al., 1991). The action of SLS on
surface tension is putatively the cause of its irritancy, and its great capacity for
altering the stratum corneum makes it useful to enhance penetration of other
substances in patch tests and in animal assays.
