Do you know what ingredients do the actual cleansing in your facial cleanser? Turn your product around and take a look. Chances are, it’s SLS, which is an acronym for sodium laurel sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate, and also includes about two dozen other chemicals. These synthetically manufactured surfactants, the primary components of common detergents, are used to clean everything from skin and hair to floors and bathrooms. In fact, they were famously used as engine degreasers in post-WWII US military.

Why is SLS so widely used in skincare?

Well, SLS works, it’s cheap, it’s plentiful and easy to make. It’s that exact combination why SLS can be found in a majority of facial cleansers, ranging from the least expensive to the most expensive. It’s typically made from petrochemicals, hence the “cheap, it’s plentiful and easy to make” part. But, cheap and easy doesn’t mean it’s best for your skin. In fact, SLS has been linked to high levels of skin irritation among other health issues, and current research will continue to monitor whether or not there are more harmful effects. 

So, what’s the alternative to SLS?

Try mushrooms. Literally, try mushrooms. Mushrooms are an incredible cleansing source that are not only as highly effective, but also nourish the skin. At HEAR ME RAW, we use a combination of four mushrooms- oyster, reishi, chaga and tremella, in our new Good Clean Fungi gentle scrubbing cleansing balm. We believe that, as creatures from nature, our bodies don’t recognize synthetic ingredients like they do natural ingredients and therefore tend to react negatively to them. Mushrooms, the earth’s recycling center, are so great at cleansing and so nutritionally beneficial that they are far better than SLS for facial cleansing. 

Here are 6 reasons why mushrooms are better for cleansing skin than SLS:

• Mushrooms have a better track record: Mushrooms have been on the planet for about 800 million years. SLS first started being used in the 1930’s and we’re still trying to figure out if they’re safe.
  
  
• Your body prefers natural, plant-based ingredients: The powerful combination of oyster, reishi, chaga and tremella mushrooms in Good Clean Fungi provides a natural alternative to the synthetic nature of SLS. The inclusion of these mushrooms offers a holistic approach to skincare, promoting overall skin health, rather than merely cleansing the surface like a detergent might.
  
  
• Mushrooms provide nutrition to your skin: Because SLS is typically petroleum-derived, it has ZERO nutritional benefits. The 4 mushrooms in Good Clean Fungi are filled with vitamins and nutrients that help the skin. And with skin as our largest organ, we need to think about feeding our skin as we do our bodies. Why put dead chemicals on your skin when you can nourish the skin instead? 

• Mushrooms are effective yet gentle: Good Clean Fungi takes a gentle approach to cleansing, ensuring that your skin is not stripped of its natural oils. SLS, on the other hand, is a known surfactant that can be overly harsh, leading to dryness and irritation, particularly for individuals with sensitive skin.
  
  
  
  
• Mushrooms hydrate and nourish: Unlike SLS, which can be drying, Good Clean Fungi actively hydrates and nourishes the skin. The quadruple-mushroom blend, along with sunflower seed oil, jojoba, and vegan squalene ensures that your skin receives the care it deserves, leaving it refreshed and revitalized after each use.
  
  

• Environmental Considerations: Choosing a natural, mushroom-infused cleanser aligns with a more environmentally conscious approach. SLS is not only harsh on the skin but can also contribute to environmental pollution during production and use. Not to mention that Good Clean Fungi, like all HEAR ME RAW products, have reusable glass jars and lids with recyclable refill pods that use 86% less packaging than similar products with an even greater reduction in environmental footprint.

Ready to Shroom?

With facial cleansing being perhaps the most important component of any skincare regimen, using effective, nourishing ingredients is key. And using nutrition-rich ingredients like mushrooms, sunflower seed oil, jojoba and vegan squalene In HEAR ME RAW's Good Clean Fungi will always surpass engine degreasers when it comes to doing what’s best for your skin.