The resulting ethoxylate is converted to a half ester of sulfuric acid, which is neutralized by conversion to the sodium salt.

SLS and ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS) are commonly used alternatives to SLES in consumer products.

The Australian government's Department of Health and Ageing and its National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) have determined that SLES does not react with DNA.

[4] It has been shown that SLES causes eye or skin irritation in experiments conducted on animals and humans.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that these levels be monitored,[9] and encourages manufacturers to remove 1,4-dioxane, though it is not required by federal law.