(SLES), also known as Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate (SLES 28%) Powder, is a widely used anionic surfactant in various personal care and cleaning products. It is an ethoxylated alcohol sulfate derived from renewable resources like coconut oil or palm kernel oil. The “28%” in its designation refers to the average number of ethylene oxide units in the molecule, indicating its degree of ethoxylation.
Its’ features a hydrophilic sulfate head and a lipophilic alkyl chain, making it amphiphilic, which enables it to interact with both water and oil. This unique structure contributes to its excellent surfactant properties, including foaming, wetting, emulsifying, and cleaning.