SLES 70%: The Key Foaming Agent for Shampoos

Views: 366     Author: Site Editor     Publish Time: 2025-10-18      Origin: Site

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SLES 70%: The Key Foaming Agent for Shampoos

Have you ever wondered how shampoo gives a rich, foamy consistency? The secret ingredient is SLES 70% (Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulphate 70%). It is a widely used surfactant praised for its cleaning and foaming properties. It is a key foaming agent in personal care and household products, like shampoos, soaps, and detergents, to remove dirt and oil. 

For manufacturers, understanding this key agent results in high performance meeting consumer expectations. This article will cover the benefits of and how to source high-quality SLES 70%


What is SLES 70%?


SLES 70% is a chemical surfactant used in the personal care and cleaning industries. It is a slightly yellowish liquid and highly soluble in water. It is usually diluted and mixed with other components in the formulation of a product. 

In shampoos. SLES 70% generates a rich, foamy texture that cleanses oil and dirt, allowing them to be rinsed away with water. It is milder on the scalp and hair, making it an ideal choice for professional shampoo formulations. 


Characteristics of SLES 70%


  1. High concentration: SLES 70% is a highly concentrated active surfactant. Its high level of concentration renders it effective during storage and flexibility in formulation where it can be diluted to suit a given need.

  2. Excellent foaming agent: It can generate rich, stable foam, which can maintain stability in challenging water conditions. 

  3. Strong cleanser and emulsifier: It is highly efficient in breaking down oil and dirt. Thus, it is essential for shampoos, body washes, and detergents. As an emulsifier, it allows oil-based and water-based ingredients to mix evenly. 

  4. Mildness: Although it is highly concentrated, it is ethoxylated. This implies that it is gentle on the skin and hair, hence it is milder than SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate). As a result, it is compatible with the skin and does not irritate. 

  5. Highly soluble: SLES 70% is highly soluble in water. It enables smooth product formulation since it easily dissolves in water. Thus, as a manufacturer, you can create clear liquid shampoos and cleansers.

  6. Viscous liquid: This foaming agent has a viscosity-building capacity. It can mix with salt or other additives to adjust the viscosity of shampoos and detergents. 

  7. Compatibility: SLES 70% is not only compatible with the hair body, but it is also compatible with other surfactants and conditioners. It may be mixed with other components to make it mild and to increase overall performance.

  8. Availability: SLES 70% is widely available, which makes it economical. This is why it is used in large-scale production in the personal care, household, and industrial settings.

  9. Heat stability: This ingredient is stable across a wide pH range. Thus, it gives you flexibility to adjust the pH depending on the type of product. 

  10. Appearance: This foaming agent is slightly yellowish in color with no sharp odor. It is a liquid and has good storage stability when kept in air-tight containers away from direct sunlight. 


Key Advantages of SLES 70% in Shampoos


Excellent Foaming Power

The lathering or foaming ability often judges the power of a shampoo. SLES 70% produces a rich, creamy, and stable foamy texture that gives consumers the washing experience they need. 

It is dense and effective even in challenging water conditions, creating foam across a wide pH range. Thus, if you’re targeting the mass market, it will make a good deal. 


High Cleaning Power

Aside from the high foaming power, SLES 70% possesses excellent cleaning and degreasing ability. It cleans hair and scalp efficiently of dirt, oil and product build-ups. As an emulsifier, it allows oil to mix with water, ensuring that excess sebum and grease are rinsed away. 

This cleaning agent provides shampoos with a deep-clean feel while stripping moisture from the hair. It leaves your scalp feeling fresh and residue-free.


Milder than Other Surfactants

Compared to SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate), SLES 70% is less irritating to the skin and scalp, especially when used with emollients. This ingredient is suitable across different hair types and climates. It can be used on sensitive hair, including children's shampoos and other mild formulations. Thus, you can make your product safer for personal care.


Cost-Effective 

This ingredient is cost-effective for large-scale production, especially if the cost of raw materials directly affects profit margins. The highly active matter reduces the need for large volumes, since it is diluted before use.

It strikes a balance between performance and cost offering high quality lines of shampoo at lower prices. Whether you’re producing a small batch or large industrial runs, the ingredient is scalable. 


Versatility in Formulation

SLES 70% is compatible with other surfactants, such as Cocamidopropyl Betaine, to boost foaming power.  It is also compatible with conditioning agents, fragrances, and thickeners for balanced product formulations. For example, it is used to develop a wide range of shampoo types for different hair types - clarifying, moisturizing, or anti-dandruff formulas. 


Easy Viscosity Adjustment

The viscosity of shampoo is essential in consumer perception. This key foaming agent allows you to control shampoo thickness by easily adjusting with salt or others. As a result, you can get the desired texture and pourability, enhancing brand appeal. 


Stable in Hard Water

SLES 70% retains its effectiveness even in hard water. It maintains consistent foaming and cleaning power across different water qualities, both good and bad. This reliability and consistency make it useful in other global markets. 


Long Shelf Life

When properly sealed and stored, this ingredient has a long shelf life and storage stability. It improves its durability and supports efficient storage management. Moreover, it meets international standards with flexible bulk packaging options to suit different production needs. 


Where else is SLES 70% used?


Aside from shampoo formulation, SLES 70% is widely used in other applications. Here are some:


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Personal, Cosmetic, and Household Industry

  • Facial cleansers: SLES 70% is used as a cleaning agent in facial care products. 

  • Body scrubs: The ingredient is used as a dispersing agent in body scrub formulations. It helps to disperse and deeply cleanse the skin with exfoliating particles to keep it fresh. 

  • Skin care creams: As an emulsifier, it helps to break down oil in the skin, revealing a fresh look. 

  • Shaving creams: The ingredient serves as a foaming and cleaning agent, preventing irritation and bumps. 

  • Sun cream and Moisturizer: It acts as an emulsifying agent in sun creams to protect your skin from damage. 

  • Cosmetic products: It serves as a cleaning and emulsifying agent in cosmetic products to give you a finer look without stripping moisture. 

  • Liquid soap: It delivers stable foam and effective cleaning action for removing dirt and bacteria. 

  • Body wash and shower gels: It is a foaming agent that gives a rich foamy texture that cleanses the hands and the body without stripping the skin. It works well with skin-soothing additives to prevent dryness. 

  • Bubble baths: They create excellent foam with long-lasting bubbles for a relaxing bathing experience. 

  • Hand wash and hand soap: As a foaming and cleaning agent, it provides a luxurious foam that effectively cleanses the hands. 

  • Liquid and laundry detergents: As a cleaning and degreasing agent, they provides excellent cleaning power, removing excess oil, grease, and dirt from clothes.

  • Dishwashing liquid: It effectively dissolves oil, stains, and grease on plates, leaving them clear. 

  • Toothpaste and mouthwash: As a foaming and dispersing agent, it evenly disperses toothpaste across teeth and gums, enhancing the experience of brushing. It also aids in deep cleaning of the mouth by killing bacteria. 


Textile Industry

  • Leather Manufacturing: SLES 70% acts as a cleaning and degreasing agent, removing natural oils. 

  • Textile manufacturing: The ingredient wets and cleanses products during textile processing. 

  • Printing process: It acts as a degreasing, cleaning, and dyeing agent, removing wax and impurities from clothes. 


Agriculture Industries

  • Herbicides and pesticides: As a surfactant, SLES 70% improves the absorption of chemicals. It also acts as a wetting and spreading agent for improved effectiveness. 


Industrial Settings

  • Car wash solutions: For car wash purposes, SLES 70% produces a thick foam solution for surface coverage. It helps to lift dirt and stains without damaging paint. It also breaks down heavy oils and road grime, leaving a clean finish. 

  • Chemical blends: It is used in paints, coating and adhesives to stabilize oil-in-water blends.

  • Chemical sprays: It is used in chemical sprays to enhance the penetration of liquid into surfaces. 


How to Source for High-Quality SLES 70% 


Identify Reputable Suppliers

First, source reputable suppliers who are experts in raw mechanicals for personal and industrial use. Reputable suppliers should have an established track record, approved certification, transparent sourcing of raw materials, and an efficient distribution system. A good supplier should also offer 24/7 support and flexible supply arrangements.

Sunway Group takes pride in all of these. We are here to give you nothing short of the best. We have a strict quality control to provide you with high-quality SLES 70%. We also comply with industry standards for chemical use and safety. 


Verify Product Specifications

Confirm the active ingredient. It should be 70% with a slightly yellowish liquid appearance. Check the pH level, viscosity, and purity to confirm that it is up to international standards. Assess foaming capacity, emulsification and skin compatibility prior to full scale production. 


Evaluate Cost and Value

Consider cost, but not at the expense of value. Although cheap SLES 70% may be affordable, it can be costly in the long run due to reformulation or complaints. Look for suppliers that offer balanced pricing with guaranteed quality. 


Supply Chain Stability

Evaluate the supply chain stability to know if your product will be delivered on time. Evaluate raw material costs and how they affect the pricing and availability of the product.


Sustainability 

Verify that suppliers are committed to a sustainable production process and the use of sustainable raw materials. Furthermore, verify that the suppliers are focused on customer service and produce versatile ingredients. Confirm if the ingredient is suitable for your specific purpose, that is, if it’s suitable for household cleaning, personal care, or industrial applications. 


FAQs


Why is SLES used in shampoo?

SLES is used in shampoo because of its cleansing properties. It lifts dirt, oil, and product buildup from hair and scalp, leaving a clean, residue-free finish that customers love worldwide. It delivers a deep clean and a high-level performance at a low cost. 


Is SLES safe for hair?

SLES is gentle in relation to other surfactants, so it is safe to use on certain hair types. However, it may cause irritation and dryness in others. SLES pairs perfectly with well-formulated products or those with particular hair needs. However, for those with a very dry scalp or brittle hair, they may benefit from sulfate-free shampoo.


Which is better: SLS or SLES?

SLES is considered better than SLS. This is because SLES is milder and less irritating as it is diluted before use. Thus, it is ideal for sensitive skin and hair. SLS, however, is harsh and can cause dryness and irritation. However, for those with very sensitive skin or who get a reaction from SLES products, they may switch to an SLES-free product for the best results. 


What are alternatives to SLES in shampoo?

A safe alternative to SLES in shampoo includes Cocamidopropyl Betaine, a coconut-derived surfactant. Others are Decyl Glucoside, Coco-Glucoside, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, soap nut extracts, and Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate (SLSA). 


What is the difference between SLES 70 and SLES 28?

The main difference is that SLES 70% is a highly concentrated solution, while SLES 28% is a more diluted solution. Thus, for SLES 70% to become manageable for use, it must be diluted. But SLES 28% does not necessarily need additional dilution.


Is SLES a paraben?

SLES is not a paraben. Instead, it is a sulfate, that is, a detergent and foaming agent. While parabens slow down the growth of bacteria, sulfates are used for cleansing. 


Conclusion


SLES 70% (Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate) remains a key foaming agent in the world, enhancing shampoos, body washes, detergents, and other formulations. Its rich, foamy texture combined with its mildness makes it worthwhile for manufacturers in the personal care, household, and industrial sectors. 

A reputable supplier like Sunway Group guarantees quality, consistency and performance. Contact our team now for samples and a quote, and take your product to the next level.