SLES is a surfactant, which means it has cleansing properties. It is an anionic detergent that produces foam and lather, hence making it suitable for applications where foaming is desired. It is soluble in both water and oil-based solutions. SLES can be found in various personal care products such as shampoos, body washes, hand soaps, facial cleansers, toothpaste, etc. It helps to remove dirt, oils, and other impurities from the skin or hair by creating foam/lather.