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If you want a toothpaste without sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), the reliable way to choose is to read the current package and full ingredient list, not to rely on the word “natural.” This guide explains what SLS does, what an “SLS-free” claim does and does not establish, and how to compare formulas. The shortlist below is an editorial selection based on the criteria stated here. It is not a clinical ranking, and none of these products was tested for performance.
What sodium lauryl sulfate does in toothpaste
Sodium lauryl sulfate is a detergent. In toothpaste it produces foam, and the American Dental Association (ADA) describes detergents such as sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium N-lauryl sarcosinate as used “for foaming action that may increase the solubility of plaque and accretions on teeth during brushing,” in its guidance on toothpastes. Foaming is a functional feature, not a sign of cleaning strength. A paste can clean well without SLS, and a foamy paste does not prove that it contains SLS.
The same ADA guidance notes that toothpaste ingredients, SLS included, may rarely cause irritation or allergic reactions. That is the main reason many readers look for an SLS-free option. It is a reasonable preference, but it is a personal one. SLS is not shown to be harmful to everyone, and removing it is not necessary for every user.
What “SLS-free” means on a label
“SLS-free” is a claim on the package or a conclusion you draw from the ingredient list. Read it narrowly. It tells you that sodium lauryl sulfate is absent. It does not tell you whether the paste contains fluoride, and it does not tell you that the formula avoids every other ingredient that can irritate some people.
#1 Best Overall
- WHAT’S INCLUDED: Two (2) 5.5 oz tubes of Tom's of Maine Antiplaque and Whitening Fluoride Free Toothpaste, Peppermint Toothpaste flavor
- WHITENS TEETH AND FIGHTS TARTAR: This whitening antiplaque toothpaste pack helps whiten teeth by removing surface stains and helps prevent tartar buildup with regular brushing
- BETTER LASTING FLAVOR: This SLS free toothpaste features a new formula and better taste* for a better brushing experience
- MINTY FRESH BREATH: The refreshing Peppermint toothpaste flavor helps freshen breath every time you brush
- NATURAL TOOTHPASTE YOU CAN FEEL GOOD ABOUT: Made with naturally sourced and naturally derived ingredients for a fluoride free natural toothpaste you can feel good about using daily
Do not confuse sodium lauryl sulfate with sodium lauryl sulfoacetate
These are different ingredients with similar names. A product can list sodium lauryl sulfoacetate and still be SLS-free in the strict sense, because the ingredient it names is not sodium lauryl sulfate. For example, the DailyMed label for SprinJene Sensitivity Relief Fluoride Free Toothpaste lists sodium lauryl sulfoacetate among its inactive ingredients and describes the product as fluoride-free. When you compare labels, match the full chemical name, not a partial match on “sulfate” or “lauryl.”
Why “natural” does not settle the SLS question
“Natural” is a useful shopping word for many readers, but it is a marketing descriptor, not a formula standard. The DailyMed label for Tom’s of Maine Natural Fluoride Fresh Mint, updated June 16, 2026, lists sodium fluoride 0.24% as its active ingredient and lists SLS among its inactive ingredients. A reader who bought it because of the word “natural” and assumed it was SLS-free would be wrong. Treat “natural” as the starting point for your search, and let the ingredient list make the decision.
Rank #2
- UNIQUE CLEANING & PLAQUE FIGHTING INGREDIENTS: Plant-based ingredients like Neem work hard to keep your whole mouth clean, while Pomegranate helps reduce plaque for cleaner teeth and healthy looking gums.
- SOOTHING COOLING MINT-FRESH FLAVOR: Mint essential oil makes your whole mouth feel cool, clean and alive again, while gentle ingredients bring you brighter teeth and a winning smile.
- A CLEAN TOOTHPASTE WITH NO COMPROMISE ON FOAM & FLAVOR: Finally, a clean toothpaste with no unwanted extras, yet it still tastes and foams wonderfully!
- FREE FROM THE STUFF YOU DON’T WANT: Fluoride free, triclosan free, SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) free, carrageenan free and gluten free too.
- CRUELTY FREE: We care about our furry friends. That’s why we never test our toothpaste on animals.
Keep fluoride a separate decision
SLS-free does not mean fluoride-free, and fluoride-free does not mean SLS-free. These are two independent features. Decide on fluoride with your dentist or dental hygienist, especially if you have a history of cavities, dry mouth, or a specific dental treatment plan. Do not choose a fluoride-free paste simply because you want to avoid SLS.
When you read a label, check the active ingredient and its labeled concentration. Fluoride is usually listed as sodium fluoride or sodium monofluorophosphate. Examples in this guide show both forms.
Rank #3
- Fluoride-Free Toothpaste: Davids replaces fluoride and other common toothpaste chemicals with high-performing ingredients to effectively reduce plaque, naturally whiten, and freshen breath
- Gentle Whitening: Micro polishing agents remove surface stains to safely whiten without causing the sensitivity normally found with peroxide or other bleaching agents. RDA of 101 to effectively remove plaque and surface stains while being enamel safe for daily brushing. Safe range per ADA (American Dental Association)
- Improve Oral Health: Formulated to restore a healthy PH balance and support your mouth’s natural oral microbiome. Davids is designed to aggressively stop plaque from forming and reduce existing plaque buildup while leaving your mouth feeling minty fresh and exceptionally clean
- Clean Ingredients: Our toothpastes are naturally derived and sourced from plants and the earth, with no animal by-products (vegan). Sulfate Free (no SLS), EWG Verified. No Artificial Flavors, Colors, or Preservatives
- Sustainably Focused: Davids ditched the plastic for a recyclable metal tube, which is better for the planet and looks better on your counter
Other ingredients to review if you react to toothpaste
The ADA lists several other ingredients that have been reported as possible irritants in toothpaste: essential oils and flavorings, propylene glycol, PEG compounds, cocamidopropyl betaine, parabens, and pyrophosphates. If you have had a reaction before, compare the full ingredient list against this set, not just the SLS line. Also keep in mind that toothpaste-related contact irritation can be hard to tell apart from other causes, so a changed product does not always solve the problem.
How to check a toothpaste label
- Look at the physical package in the store or at home, not only an online listing. Online label records and formulas can change, and the pack in your hand is the current version.
- Find the “Active ingredients” section and note the fluoride compound and its percentage, or confirm that no fluoride is listed.
- Scan the “Inactive ingredients” list for the exact name sodium lauryl sulfate. Do not stop at “sulfate” or “lauryl,” because sodium lauryl sulfoacetate is a different ingredient.
- Read any “SLS-free” or “NO SLS” text as a claim about the package, then confirm it against the ingredient list.
- Check the other ingredients against the ADA list above if you have a history of irritation.
- Treat sensitivity, whitening, or similar wording as the manufacturer’s stated intent. A label does not show that the product works better than another.
Label-based shortlist
The table compares three products using only what their cited DailyMed labels or package text state. Where a point depends on your own pack, the cell says so.
Rank #4
- WHAT YOU GET: Three 4.1oz tubes of Native Fluoride Free Whitening Toothpaste in Wild Mint & Peppermint Oil Flavor.
- FREE OF: Thoughtfully crafted without fluoride, SLS, parabens, artificial sweeteners, artificial flavors, triclosan or gluten.
- WHITENS TEETH: Gently whitens your teeth with mineral based hydrated silica and brushes away plaque with naturally derived SLS-free surfactants.
- FRESHENS BREATH: Experience a Wild Mint & Peppermint Oil flavor that leaves your mouth feeling clean and fresh using naturally-derived flavors.
- ONLY 12 INGREDIENTS: Made with minimal, naturally derived ingredients for a simple, effective clean.
| Product | SLS status | Fluoride (active ingredient, labeled amount) | Other points from the label |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Natural Dentist All in One Toothpaste, Peppermint Twist | Package states “NO SLS!” Confirm against the full inactive ingredient list on your pack. | Sodium fluoride 0.24% (0.15% w/v fluoride ion) | Label includes directions and inactive ingredients. |
| Jason Powersmile Anticavity Whitening Powerful Peppermint | Package describes the product as natural and SLS-free. Confirm against the ingredient list on your pack. | Sodium monofluorophosphate 0.76% | Ingredient list includes sodium cocoyl glutamate. Whitening is the manufacturer’s stated purpose. |
| Tom’s of Maine Natural Fluoride Fresh Mint | Not SLS-free. Sodium lauryl sulfate is listed among inactive ingredients (DailyMed label updated June 16, 2026). | Sodium fluoride 0.24% | Included as a counterexample to show that “natural” does not establish SLS-free status. Not a recommendation for readers avoiding SLS. |
The Natural Dentist All in One Toothpaste
This is the most direct match for a reader who wants SLS-free toothpaste and wants to keep fluoride. The package states “NO SLS!” and the label lists sodium fluoride 0.24% as the active ingredient, which is the combination many readers in this search are looking for. It is a label-based option, not an independently verified best choice. Confirm the inactive ingredients on your own pack, and check them against the ADA list if you react to flavorings or essential oils.
Jason Powersmile Anticavity Whitening Powerful Peppermint
This paste uses sodium monofluorophosphate at 0.76% as its active ingredient, so it keeps fluoride, and its package describes it as natural and SLS-free. Its ingredient list includes sodium cocoyl glutamate, a different surfactant. Because the package is the controlling source, recheck the current ingredient list before buying, particularly if you are sensitive to surfactants.
Best Value
- WHAT’S INCLUDED three (3) 5.0 oz tubes of hello Naturally Whitening Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste, Mint Toothpaste with Coconut Oil
- NATURALLY WHITENS: Whitens naturally with natural whitening ingredients to remove surface stains and uses fluoride to help prevent cavities and strengthen teeth enamel
- MIND-BLOWING FRESHNESS: This naturally whitening toothpaste is formulated with super-peppy peppermint so you can experience mind-blowing freshness every time you brush
- GLUTEN FREE AND VEGAN: hello Naturally Whitening Fluoride Toothpaste is a vegan toothpaste and gluten free toothpaste and is not tested on animals
- NO-BRAINER: This hello whitening toothpaste is peroxide free, SLS free and has no artificial sweeteners or flavors, no dyes, no parabens, and no titanium dioxide
Tom’s of Maine Natural Fluoride Fresh Mint
This product is included to show a common mistake. It contains fluoride, and it is marketed as natural, but its label lists sodium lauryl sulfate among the inactive ingredients. Do not select it if your goal is an SLS-free paste.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When to see a dental professional
Switching to an SLS-free toothpaste is a reasonable step to try, but it is not a diagnosis. If you have persistent mouth pain, ongoing sores, swelling, or irritation that continues after a product change, see a dental professional. They can help distinguish a toothpaste reaction from other causes and can advise on fluoride use for your situation.
A label, including this one, cannot establish that a product is suitable for a diagnosed allergy or for your particular mouth. Use the ingredient check above as a screening step, then let your dental team confirm the choice.
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