Chapter 1: Anionic surfactants
Sodium coco-sulfate
No badge
The worst fact: it's sold as the gentler swap for SLS, but Australia rates the raw chemical harsher on skin: it "causes severe skin burns", where SLS is rated a skin irritant. Both are rated as causing serious eye damage.
Why brands use it: it cleans and foams like SLS, but lets the label say "coconut-derived" and "SLS-free".
Take care if: you have eczema or sensitive skin, or for your eyes. Treat it as you would SLS.
Comes from: coconut oil.
Myth check: "SLS-free means gentler": not here. About half of it is the same chemical chain as SLS.
Contaminants: nil.
Fair to say: that rating is based on its short-chain content, not a direct test. Finished products are diluted, and can be made non-irritating.
Correct as of November 2026. What the badges mean
Sources
- Safe Work Australia. Hazardous Chemical Information System (HCIS): classifications for each chemical and for benzene and ethylene oxide. hcis.safeworkaustralia.gov.au
- AICIS. Evaluation statement EVA00146: alkyl sulfates (2024). industrialchemicals.gov.au
- US Cosmetic Ingredient Review. Final report on sodium lauryl sulfate and ammonium lauryl sulfate (1983); sodium alpha-olefin sulfonates (1998); sodium cetearyl sulfate and related alkyl sulfates, incl. sodium coco-sulfate (2010).
The full source list is at the end of Chapter 1.