It is used as an inexpensive filler in soaps, shampoos, hair conditioners, detergents, mouthwash and toothpaste. The main reason it is so commonly used is to create the lather that we have come to expect from these products.

It is also used to mix oil based ingredients with water based ingredients.

Approximately 90% of the soaps, detergents and toothpastes used today have Sodium Laurel Sulfate in them, making it a daunting task to find products without it.

Sodium Laurel Sulfate in shampoo can cause eye irritation, scalp irritation, contact dermatitis, tangled hair, swelling of hands, face and arms, split ends and fuzzy hair. Just as it dissolves grease on car engines, it also dissolves the oil in hair and on the skin.

When absorbed through the skin, Sodium Laurel Sulfate can result in many health problems, including cancer.

Some mouth ulcers have been linked to products containing Sodium Laurel Sulfate.

Sodium Laurel Sulfate can cause dry mouth resulting in the production of too little saliva. Saliva is rich in oxygen so when the amount of saliva is reduced, the mouth becomes a perfect spot for bacteria - producing sulfur as a waste product. When the sulfur level in the mouth rises, bad breath occurs, along with an unpleasant taste.

Sodium Laurel Sulfate is too harsh a substance to be used near the delicate tissue lining the mouth.

A new product called Tooth Soap has been awarded the 2008 Best Dental Product Editor's Choice Award by Naturalnews.com. Tooth Soap contains no chemicals, glycerin, dye, artificial flavors or sweeteners. It gently removes contaminants from teeth and gums, leaving the mouth feeling clean, claims the CEO/Founder of the company.