Coming out in the wash

摘要

About 45 years ago a basic shower gel was formulated using a combination of sodium laureth sulfate with lauryl betaine, preservative, colour and perfume. At about the same time a basic foam bath comprised the same ingredients and so did a simple shampoo. What has changed since? A glance along any supermarket shelf will disclose that the majority of price conscious products are still based on those few ingredients. Closer inspection may show lauryl betaine replaced by cocamidopropyl betaine; formaldehyde replaced by isothiazolinones and the addition of a modicum of a botanical extract may grace the label but these are hardly radical changes.