# Tearless Shampoo **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 15, 2001, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tearless-shampoo/81845 "2001-09-15T17:45:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2001, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tearless-shampoo/81845/21 "2001-09-18T00:05:03Z")
The reason why baby shampoos “don’t hurt” (they do, they just don’t blind you" is because they are PH balanced to match the PH level in your eyes. I do have a cite for this, it is a stack of magazines in my bathroom that is about a foot high. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2001, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tearless-shampoo/81845/22 "2001-09-18T00:26:40Z")
Surely you jest Shirley ! There are many things that have a neutral pH yet will burn like the dickens if you get them in your eye. Cayenne pepper, concentrated salt solutions, whiskey, SDS (also known as sodium dodecyl sulphate or sodium lauryl sulphate) are just a few examples. A detergent with a high pH will cause burning, but lowering the pH to ~7 is not enough to create a “tear free” shampoo. The author of your magazine article has misinformed you. From the [MSDS for SDS:](http://www.jtbaker.com/msds/s3670.htm) > [@](#): > > Synonyms: Sodium lauryl sulfate; Duponol; Dodecyl sodium sulfate; Sulfuric acid, monodecyl ester, sodium salt > WARNING! HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED OR INHALED. CAUSES IRRITATION TO SKIN, EYES AND RESPIRATORY TRACT. MAY CAUSE ALLERGIC SKIN OR RESPIRATORY REACTION. > Eye Contact: > Causes irritation, redness, and pain. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tearless-shampoo/81845.md?page=1)