Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate
A foaming cleansing agent from the same sulfate family as sodium lauryl and laureth sulfate. Like its relatives it can be drying or irritating at high concentration or with prolonged contact, especially on already-compromised skin, but at the levels and rinse-off use typical of shampoos and body washes it is considered safe.
Sulfates are widely rumored to be carcinogenic or to "poison" the body. There is no evidence for this in humans; the real, milder concern with any sulfate, including this one, is dryness or irritation with heavy or prolonged use, which is a cosmetic tolerability issue, not a toxicity one.
Worth knowing
- Can irritate, especially left on
Gentler alternatives
References
Cosmetic information for general education, not medical advice. Concern is graded on cited evidence, never on hazard-score lists. See how we score.