Do we have to have bubbles?

For some reason, we are enamored with soap bubbles . . . . perhaps it all started with the little wands and bottles of soap that produced the bubbles we tried to catch as kids.  Maybe it’s the product advertising . . . a sink full of bubbles has to be helping get those dishes clean or a bathtub full of bubble bath must be more relaxing than a regular bath.

For the most part, we love bubbles in our products.  Not enough suds in the sink—add some more dishwashing liquid.  Unfortunately, most people think sudsy, bubbly, foamy = clean.  Truthfully, bubbles have nothing to do with clean.  This article explains the science behind the statement.  If you think about it, we’ve accepted the fact that bubbles aren't always good/needed, i.e., in dishwashers and high-efficiency washers.  If our dishes and clothes are getting washed in a low-suds environment, then, maybe, just maybe, bubbles aren’t necessary.

Now I’m not entirely against bubbles, they are great fun to entertain my grandchildren, but I don't want them in my personal care and cleaning products.  If fact, the article above plainly stated that bubbles come from the chemicals commercial and soap manufacturers add to their products.  This is what it says:  Sodium laureth sulfate (SLS), an accepted contraction of sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) is an anionic detergent and surfactant found in many personal care products (soaps, shampoos, toothpaste, etc.). SLES is an inexpensive and very effective foaming agent.

The problem with having SLS/SLES in my personal care and cleaning products is that it can irritate eyes, skin, and lungs, especially with long-term use. In addition, SLES may also be contaminated with a substance called 1,4-dioxane, which is known to cause cancer in laboratory animals. This contamination occurs during the manufacturing process.  You can read this article if you want to learn more about the controversy around this chemical.


Many people argue that irritation comes with “long-term” use and since most personal care and cleaning products are applied/used and then typically rinsed off with water, there shouldn't be a problem.  For me the BIG question is:

Why, if there are products that don’t contain SLS/SLES and these products perform at the same or higher standards, would you not opt to avoid this chemical?

Here is a personal testimony--last year my husband noticed that his tongue felt like it had been burned.  I'm sure we've all had that feeling; however, he couldn't remember eating or drinking anything hot enough to cause the problem. The pain progressed until his tongue felt like it was on fire and he could tell that the surface was swollen.  A trip to the ENT revealed he had glossitis--an inflammation of the tongue.  The doctor determined to let it run its course, deciding it was from a virus, not an infection.  He told my husband to avoid irritants such as spicy food and toothpaste that contains SLS/SLES! Cue the end of his Colgate habit and welcome to Thieves Whitening Toothpaste.  This natural toothpaste is formulated without fluoride, SLS, parabens, phthalates, mineral oil, synthetic perfumes or dyes, toxic ingredients, or artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Click here to see the informational product brochure.

Rest assured that Young Living does not use SLS/SLES in any of their products so if you’re interested in “ditching” the potential toxins and “switching” to safer products, please contact me. The bubbles just aren’t worth it!