Sodium lauryl polyoxyethylene ether sulfate

Sodium lauryl polyoxyethylene ether sulfate (CAS 9004-82-4), commercially known as SLES, is an anionic surfactant used across personal care, textile, and industrial cleaning applications.

It delivers high-foaming, emulsifying, and degreasing performance at competitive cost, making it one of the most commercially traded surfactants globally for various manufacturing sectors.

In personal care manufacturing, SLES is the primary foaming and cleansing agent in shampoos, body washes, liquid soaps, and facial cleansers, where its mildness supports consumer-grade formulations.

Textile processors use it as a scouring and wetting agent to remove oils, waxes, and sizing agents from fiber prior to dyeing or finishing to ensure high-quality results.

In leather processing, it assists in degreasing hides during beam house operations to ensure uniform tanning penetration. Industrial formulators incorporate it into hard surface cleaners and laundry detergents.

SLES is supplied as a clear to slightly hazy aqueous liquid, most commonly at 70% active content, with 28% also available for applications requiring easier handling or lower viscosity.

Grades are differentiated by ethoxylation degree, typically 2 EO or 3 EO, which affects mildness and cold-water solubility. Technical and cosmetic-grade specifications are both standard in the market.