Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) causes skin reactions differently than typical allergens or irritants—it triggers more skin cell growth than immune cell activity. Interestingly, up to 20% of people react to SLS in patch tests, but the reaction doesn't involve the classical allergic or irritant pathways researchers expected.

Researchers applied SLS to mouse skin repeatedly and measured swelling, immune cell response, and inflammation markers. They compared SLS reactions to known allergens and irritants, then tested SLS on mice with different immune system defects.

Funding not disclosed in abstract