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SLES (Sodium Laureth Sulfate) is typically adjusted to a pH of 5.0–7.0 for personal care products to ensure stability, skin compatibility, and to prevent hydrolysis. It is commonly neutralized or adjusted using Citric Acid (to lower) or Sodium Hydroxide (to raise) under constant, gentle agitation to avoid excess foam.
Key Aspects of SLES pH Adjustment:
- Optimal pH Range: For maximum stability and to avoid degrading the sulfate ester bond (hydrolysis), maintain a pH between 5 and 7. While 7–9 is used for some detergent applications, lower pH is better for hair/skin care, provided it stays above ~5.
- Process Considerations:
- Agitation: Use slow-speed mixing to prevent excessive foam.
- Dilution: SLES is best adjusted after dilution from 70% paste down to a lower concentration (e.g., 27%).
- Temperature: Ensure the mixture is homogenous, usually done at room temperature or slightly warmed.
- Stability Warning: SLES becomes unstable and breaks down (hydrolyzes) at pH levels below 5, which can lead to a drop in viscosity and reduced foaming properties.
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What is the ratio of SLES to water?
This dilutable formulation is a sodium laureth sulfate (SLES)-based, concentrated shower gel. Dilute the formulation with tap water at a 1:3 ratio. Using 100 mL of concentrate will create a 400 mL shower gel.
SLES-Based Concentrated Shower Gel - Stepan
Stepan
https://www.stepan.com › products-markets › formulary
Stepan
https://www.stepan.com › products-markets › formulary
What is used for pH adjustment?
Sodium hydroxide is used at thousands of drinking water plants across the nation to make pH adjustments. When dissolved in water, it breaks down into sodium ions (found in table salt, but don't worry, it won't make the water salty!) and hydroxide ions (found in all water).
Why is sodium hydroxide the best choice to adjust the pH?
Medford Water
https://www.medfordwater.org › faqs › why-is-sodium-h...
Medford Water
https://www.medfordwater.org › faqs › why-is-sodium-h...
Which is better SLS or SLES?
SLES offers gentler cleansing at the cost of potential 1,4-dioxane contamination. SLS provides stronger cleaning action but with higher irritation potential. Neither is “bad” or “dangerous” when used in properly formulated products at appropriate concentrations.Dec 20, 2025
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate vs Sodium Laureth Sulfate: The Complete ...
Elchemy
https://elchemy.com › blogs › chemical-market › sodium...
Elchemy
https://elchemy.com › blogs › chemical-market › sodium...
Web results
Unit 15 pH Adjustment
WEIXIAN (Nanjing) Science Technology co., ltd
https://www.njweixian.com › unit-15-sles-ph-adjusting_3...
WEIXIAN (Nanjing) Science Technology co., ltd
https://www.njweixian.com › unit-15-sles-ph-adjusting_3...
The pH adjustment unit is to stabilize the pH value, homogenize the product and fine-tune the specifications when producing SLES and SLS.Read more
Thickening Sodium Laureth Sulfate shampoo
Chemists Corner
https://chemistscorner.com › Topics
Chemists Corner
https://chemistscorner.com › Topics
Jun 21, 2022 — Adding NaCl should be the last step (record how much you've added and recreate the formula after), first adjust the pH, sometimes it helps too.Read more
Improving SLES dilution consistency for a cosmetics ...
Tapflo
https://tapflo.com › Home page › Case Studies
Tapflo
https://tapflo.com › Home page › Case Studies
Apr 11, 2025 — pH control: the addition of a pH controller enabled real-time monitoring and adjustment of pH levels, ensuring product stability and shelf life.Read more
SLES in Liquid Detergents - Green Agrochem Global Hub
Green Agrochem
https://www.greenagrochem.com › sles-in-liquid-deterg...
Green Agrochem
https://www.greenagrochem.com › sles-in-liquid-deterg...
May 8, 2025 — pH Adjustment: Liquid detergents with SLES are typically formulated at pH 7–9 to optimize stability and minimize skin irritation. Citric ...Read more
Tips for Using Sodium Laureth Sulfate Effectively
NINGBO INNO PHARMCHEM CO.,LTD.
https://www.nbinno.com › ... › Sodium Laureth Sulfate
NINGBO INNO PHARMCHEM CO.,LTD.
https://www.nbinno.com › ... › Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Secondly, consider pH compatibility. SLES performs well across a range of pH values, but it is most stable in formulations with a pH between 4.0 and 6.5.Read more
SLES in Personal Care Formulations - INTERSURFCHEM
polymerchem.org
https://www.polymerchem.org › sles-in-personal-care-f...
polymerchem.org
https://www.polymerchem.org › sles-in-personal-care-f...
May 14, 2025 — pH Adjustment SLES formulations typically require a pH range of 5-7 to ensure stability and skin compatibility. Citric acid or sodium ...Read more
A Case Study in Substitution: From Sodium Laureth Sulfate ...
Colonial Chemical, Inc.
https://colonialchem.com › blog › personal-care › a-cas...
Colonial Chemical, Inc.
https://colonialchem.com › blog › personal-care › a-cas...
Mar 5, 2026 — In contrast, SLES shows poor stability below approximately pH 5, where sulfate ester linkages become increasingly susceptible to hydrolysis. As ...Read more
SLES-BASED CONCENTRATED SHOWER GEL
Stepan
https://www.stepan.com › StepanFormulation1444
Stepan
https://www.stepan.com › StepanFormulation1444
PDF
Mar 4, 2022 — Adjust pH to approximately 5 by adding Citric Acid with mixing. **Note: The INCI name for Euxyl® K720 from Ashland is Propylene Glycol (and) ...Read more
2 pages
Determination of SLES in Personal Care Products by Colloid ...
PubMed Central (PMC) (.gov)
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov › articles › PMC8124727
PubMed Central (PMC) (.gov)
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov › articles › PMC8124727
by D Ziółkowska2021Cited by 14 — No pH adjustment was made, due to the fact that polyDADMAC retains a high dissociation degree in a broad pH range [13]. The ion associates ...Read more