Ingredient · dataset v56
Sodium Laureth Sulfate and fungal acne
No known trigger
Why it's not a known trigger
A rinse-off cleansing surfactant: it washes down the drain rather than sitting on skin, and sulfates appear nowhere in Malassezia yeast's reported growth-substrate record.
Can be stripping for sensitive skin; that is irritation, not yeast feeding.
Evidence strength
Judged neutral — no trigger evidence
Function
Surfactant
Also listed as
SLES, Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulphate
Checked products with this ingredient (7)
Product types: Antifungal treatments, Body care, Cleansers, Shampoos
Antifungal treatments (2)
- Nizoral A-D Anti-Dandruff Shampoo (Ketoconazole 1%)
- DHS (Person & Covey) DHS Zinc Shampoo (Pyrithione Zinc 2%)
Body care (3)
- Paula's Choice All Over Hair & Body Shampoo
- CLn BodyWash 8 fl oz
- CLn 2-in-1 Gentle Wash & Shampoo 8 fl oz
Cleansers (1)
Shampoos (1)
Related surfactant
- Ammonium Laureth Sulfate — No known trigger
- Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate — No known trigger
- Ammonium Xylenesulfonate — No known trigger
- C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside — No known trigger
- C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate — May trigger · Limited evidence
- Capryloyl Glycine — No known trigger
- Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside — No known trigger
- Cetearyl Glucoside — No known trigger
Sources
EU CosIng database — search the INCI name
Last reviewed: 2026-10-13 (dataset v56).
Questions
Does Sodium Laureth Sulfate trigger fungal acne?
No known trigger: A rinse-off cleansing surfactant: it washes down the drain rather than sitting on skin, and sulfates appear nowhere in the yeast's reported growth-substrate record.
Does Sodium Laureth Sulfate feed Malassezia?
No known link: Sodium Laureth Sulfate is judged with no known trigger. One screened ingredient is not a product verdict — when in doubt, ask a dermatologist.
Is this medical advice?
No. We screen ingredient lists; we never diagnose, treat, or certify products. When in doubt, ask a dermatologist.
Check a full list containing Sodium Laureth Sulfate →
Not medical advice: we screen ingredient lists for potential triggers — we never diagnose, treat, or certify products. Dataset v56.