Lather is not everything…
At Olively, we proudly compose our products of naturally derived ingredients. With the majority of people having used non-natural, mass-produced products for much of their life, there are often misconceptions around the composition of their everyday products.
An extremely common ingredient you will find in many of your everyday soaps, shampoos, skincare and household items is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS). Similar chemicals are also Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) and Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS). It is rare that you will look at the ingredient list of mass produced hand washes, shampoos and cleaning products, and not find one of these listed. They act as surfactants which is the foaming agent to give the effect of extra cleansing. Sulphates such as these have long been used as detergents in car wash soaps and floor cleaners, which are inevitably harsh on the skin.
The extra lather caused by these chemicals can give the feeling of being cleansed thoroughly, when in fact without any lather, foaming or bubbles, you are still getting an equally clean result. Sulphates are irritants which can often cause issues for those with sensitive skin or hair, or additional allergies and sensitivities. It is recommended that you avoid products with sulphates if you’re prone to; rosacea, eczema, contact dermatitis, psoriasis or sensitive acne prone skin.
Besides pre-existing conditions, there are several other reasons why you should avoid sulphates. The sudsy effect from the sulphate induced lather can strip natural oils from both your hair and skin. These oils are incredibly important for your skin, as our skin is the largest organ and the first line of defence to toxins. By consistently stripping your skin of its natural oils, your skin will overcompensate and overproduce oil and ultimately cause breakouts. In the same vein, by stripping moisture from your hair, it can have frizzing effects and make it more prone to breakage.
As a natural alternative, we utilise coconut oil in our solid soap product range. Not only is this alternative not irritating on the skin, it is nourishing as well. Coconut oil is full of healthy saturated fats and vitamin E and the naturally created lather is softer, silkier and healthier. While this option is used for the solid soap bars, it isn’t for the liquid soap range. This may mean less of a lathering effect, however it is absolutely still an effective cleansing experience.
Sometimes it is important to look at not only what is in a product, but also what is not. At Olively, we prioritise the best natural ingredients for your body, skin and hair. Using some sulphates and other potentially harmful chemicals could make mass production easier, however we are not in the business of shortcuts. We are passionate about harnessing the best of nature to keep you clean and fresh.