No foam no problem- does toothpaste need to foam?
The answer is no. The amount of foam has almost no effect on the cleaning ability of the product. Having a lot of foam isn't vital for actually doing the cleaning, it's mostly for aesthetic and feel.
Foam is a funny thing. Over the years, we have been programmed by advertising to believe foam is responsible for cleanliness, efficiency and effectiveness. This is simply a placebo, foam isn't needed. Let's delve a little deeper.
So what causes foaming? It is due to an ingredient called SLS. SLS is an acronym for sodium lauryl sulphate. SLS is what's known as a "surfactant". This means it lowers the surface tension between ingredients, which is why it's used as a cleansing and foaming agent.
What is the issue with SLS?
Despite its appeal, SLS has some side effects. SLS is a skin irritant, which can cause some minor skin irritations like dry, itchy skin if used in more than 1% of a solution on leave-on formulations. Some people actually look for SLS FREE products.
Moreover, it can have an effect on the environment. Sodium lauryl sulfate can be made from palm oil. Palm oil has been and continues to be a major driver of deforestation of some of the world's most biodiverse forests, destroying the habitat of already endangered species like the Orangutan, pygmy elephant and Sumatran rhino.
Why we choose to be SLS free.
PÄRLA is Designed by Dentists to be GOOD FOR YOU AND THE PLANET. As dentists, we believe toothpaste should first and foremost protect people's oral health but not harm people, animals or our planet in the process.
That's why we created PÄRLA – to radically disrupt the toothpaste industry with clean ingredients and sustainable packaging. SLS free means no harm to the planet, and importantly it's not needed to protect your oral health.
So when you pop a PÄRLA and wet your toothbrush and brush as normal, you'll notice some mild foaming but not what you're used to- that's ok. It's not meant to foam. Also, remember substituting foam means you are doing a lot. You are helping all those beautiful animals and our planet.
Remember #onesmallchange together can create a huge movement.
