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Best SLS-Free Toothpaste: Top 6 Toothpastes Without SLS (That STILL Work)

Author

Michael Hansford

Published

July 5, 2026

Best SLS-Free Toothpaste: Top 6 Toothpastes Without SLS (That STILL Work)

It’s natural to assume the best SLS-free toothpaste means compromising on cleaning capabilities. Surely you’re leaving something important out of your oral care routine, right? Nope - not anymore, at least.

The truth is, SLS is just there for its foaming properties. Brands have included it for decades because the marketing works - more bubbles = a better clean. But that’s not really the case. The best toothpaste without SLS works just as well, and without the irritation this ingredient can cause. Learn more about the best non-SLS toothpaste below!

Quick Answer on the Best SLS-Free Toothpaste

Best SLS-Free Toothpaste With Fluoride: LIVFRESH Gum Protect+ pairs Stannous Fluoride with Activated Edathamil to reduce gum bleeding and inflammation 400% better.
Best Non-SLS Toothpaste Without Fluoride: The original LIVFRESH plaque removal toothpaste lets Activated Edathamil do all the heavy lifting, removing plaque up to 250% better while improving gum health by 190% better.
Best Toothpaste Without SLS For Sensitivity: Sensodyne ProNamel calms nerve sensitivity with potassium nitrate while sodium fluoride repairs enamel to address the root cause of discomfort. LIVFRESH may be a good fit as well since it works better at removing plaque, which is one of the main factors behind sensitivity.
Best Whitening Toothpaste Without SLS: hello Anti-Plaque + Whitening toothpaste naturally whitens with tea tree oil and coconut oil. LIVFRESH has whitening properties (without peroxides), too, though.
Best Non-SLS Toothpaste for Kids: Either LIVFRESH formula. Children can benefit from the same Activated Edathamil ingredient as adults. Just comes down to whether you want fluoride in your child’s oral health routine or not.

Why is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) in Toothpaste to Begin With?

This surfactant has been used in toothpaste for decades, but you’ll also see it listed in dish soap, car wash shampoo, and so many other foaming products. That’s what it does - it creates foam.

Part of it is marketing. But it does have a more practical purpose in toothpaste, too. It helps break up food particles. That said, most brands include it because the consumer has been led to believe that foam is necessary for an effective clean. That’s not necessarily the case, though. The foam is a vehicle that helps spread the rest of the ingredients throughout your mouth.

Why You Need the Best Toothpaste Without SLS

You probably already have your reasoning for avoiding SLS if you’re here looking for the best SLS-free toothpaste. Is it dangerous, though? Not necessarily. SLS can be irritating for those who have sensitive oral tissue. In some cases, it can cause adverse oral reactions.¹

It has connections to canker sores, too. Enough connections to draw conclusions from, according to a systematic review published in the Journal of Oral Pathology and Medicine. Researchers looked at four separate clinical trials and found that SLS-free formulas may lower the number of ulcers, how long they lasted, how frequently they occurred, and how bad they hurt.²

SLS can also make sensitivity worse. It strips moisture from soft tissue, leaving the mouth dry. Some people say their mouth feels raw after brushing with an SLS toothpaste. It’s especially problematic for those struggling with receding gums.

Combine these risks with the fact that SLS really doesn’t bring much to your brushing routine, and you have to ask: why use it at all?

Does SLS-Free Toothpaste Still Work?

You’re not missing out on any important oral health benefits when you upgrade to the best SLS-free toothpaste. It just works a little differently.

You won’t encounter that same classic foaming texture you’re used to, as most SLS-free formulas are considered dental gels. It just takes a little time to get used to, but most people who make the switch don’t feel like they’re missing out on anything.

At the end of the day, the toothpaste itself is a way to get the active ingredients into the oral cavity. Whether it’s fluoride, nano-hydroxyapatite, or in the case of LIVFRESH, Activated Edathamil, these are the ingredients that actually matter.

Some formulas DO still foam, for what it’s worth. They just use a gentler alternative, such as sodium cocoyl isethionate or cocamidopropyl betaine. The foam is a bit lighter.

What is the Best SLS-Free Toothpaste in 2026?

We’ve curated a list of the best toothpastes without SLS, whether you want a gentler foaming formula or no foam whatsoever. You can also narrow the hunt down based on what you need most out of your toothpaste - plaque reduction, gum support, whitening, or anything in between.

LIVFRESH Gum Protect+ Gel Toothpaste

This is by far the best fluoride toothpaste on the market, according to 40 clinical studies and thousands of dental professionals. That’s because it contains not just Stannous Fluoride but an ingredient that no other formula on the market does - patented Activated Edathamil.

This compound dissolves plaque on a molecular level, melting its attachment to the tooth and tissue so it can be effortlessly brushed or rinsed away. Activated Edathamil also leaves behind a negative surface charge, so new plaque can’t stick to the tooth as well. Meanwhile, Stannous Fluoride helps kill bacteria and remineralize teeth.

The formula reduces plaque 160% better while reducing gum bleeding and inflammation 400% better. It’s not just SLS-free but also free of gluten, sugar, peroxides, and triclosan. Manufactured right here in the USA. It’s the best SLS-free toothpaste if we had to recommend just one.

LIVFRESH Original Gel Toothpaste

Maybe you’re looking for the best toothpaste without SLS and fluoride. Look no further than the original LIVFRESH formula, which is formulated around Activated Edathamil to eliminate plaque and support gum health.

It still removes plaque 250% better and improves gum health 190% better. It may even support tooth remineralization along the way. It’s free from SLS, gluten, sugar, parabens, abrasives, peroxides, and triclosan.

The Wintergreen formula still foams really well if you’re into the traditional feel of toothpaste. Or, you can select the Peppermint low-foaming variant if you want to try a dental gel that goes on smoother.

Either way, you’re getting a toothpaste backed by thousands of dental professionals, including former ADA President Dr. Carol Summerhays, DDS.

Sensodyne ProNamel Toothpaste

ProNamel was specifically formulated to protect enamel that has already been weakened by acid erosion. The entire line is SLS-free and low-abrasion, so this is the one to go with if you struggle with sensitivity.

It brings together two main ingredients. Potassium nitrate soothes exposed nerve endings while sodium fluoride remineralizes teeth. So it eases the symptom while addressing the cause. That’s exactly what you want from a toothpaste for sensitivity.

Just know you’re not getting the plaque-fighting or gum health benefits that LIVFRESH brings to your oral care routine. You can compare Sensodyne vs ProNamel and Sensodyne vs Colgate in our blog if you want to take a closer look at how all these options compare.

Boka nHAP Toothpaste

Boka is one of the most unique options on our list of the best SLS-free toothpaste formulas. It uses nano-hydroxyapatite (nHAP) instead of fluoride.

This is a synthetic version of the mineral that makes up 97% of your tooth enamel. nHAP particles work their way into the tooth to fill in the microscopic gaps where enamel used to be. That’s how it helps remineralize teeth. It also uses xylitol, green tea extract, and aloe vera.

What it doesn’t have on the label is SLS, fluoride, parabens, or artificial dyes. That’s what earned it a recommendation as the best non-SLS toothpaste.

Set your expectations, though, because nHAP doesn’t have nearly as much evidence behind it as fluoride or Activated Edathamil. It’s gentle, sure - but whether it’s truly effective or not is another story. You can compare Boka vs David's toothpaste in our blog if you’re interested in natural toothpastes. Speaking of natural toothpastes…

Tom’s of Maine Toothpaste

Tom’s of Maine is a well-known natural personal goods brand, so it should be no surprise that they make one of the best SLS-free toothpaste options on the market. But you have to read the label carefully, as Tom’s does use SLS in many of its formulas. They just happen to make one without it.

The SLS-free variants are Botanically Bright and Clean & Gentle. These toothpastes use sodium cocoyl glutamate and lauryl glucoside instead. They’re plant-derived foaming alternatives.

The active ingredients behind these formulas are bee propolis tincture and xylitol (Botanically Bright) and fluoride (Clean & Gentle). There are no SLS, artificial flavors, sweeteners, or preservatives. Tom’s of Maine doesn’t have any sort of clinical data showing it can improve oral health by any measurable amount, though, so keep that in mind.

hello Toothpaste

hello makes every product without SLS so you don’t have to comb through the label. The brand’s Antiplaque + Whitening formula pairs tea tree oil with coconut oil for whitening without peroxide. It’s commonly called the best whitening toothpaste without SLS.

You can choose a fluoride or fluoride-free version. Either way, you’re not putting any SLS, parabens, dyes, or titanium dioxide in your mouth when you brush. The brand is vegan and cruelty-free as well, which is a nice touch.

Like Tom’s of Maine, though, hello won’t match a LIVFRESH formula on plaque removal or gum health improvements. It’s a clean formula, and that’s great. But the lack of clinical evidence is a major similarity when you’re comparing Hello vs Tom's toothpaste.

Dr. Bronner's ALL-ONE Toothpaste

Yes, one more natural toothpaste to consider. The best SLS-free toothpaste brands do tend to be “natural” personal goods brands, after all.

Dr. Bronner’s ALL-ONE formula is both SLS-free and fluoride-free. Instead, it uses organic menthol crystals for natural breath freshening benefits. The formula also features organic coconut flour and coconut oil for plaque reduction and whitening effects. Meanwhile, organic aloe vera brings soothing properties for the gums.

We appreciate that it’s vegan, cruelty-free, and totally free of artificial colors/flavors. But at this point, our stance is pretty clear. An SLS-free toothpaste is only “the best” if it has clinical studies showing measurable benefits for oral health. Dr. Bronner’s falls short here. Still not a bad choice if you’re just looking for a gentler, organic alternative to drugstore toothpaste formulas, though.

What Else Should You Look For in an SLS-Free Toothpaste?

The best SLS-free toothpaste isn’t just SLS-free. It has to do more. These are the other factors to consider as you weigh your options:

Active ingredients: The most important detail by far. Does the toothpaste have fluoride (and if so, what type)? If no fluoride, what is on the label with clinical evidence? Some of the best SLS-free toothpaste brands use nano-hydroxyapatite; LIVFRESH uses Activated Edathamil.
Abrasiveness: The best toothpaste without SLS usually has a non-abrasive rating because hydrated silica, baking soda, and other abrasives are notorious for irritating sensitive oral tissue in the same way SLS does.
Other irritants: Steer clear of artificial flavoring, parabens, strong essential oils, and certain preservatives. There’s no point in avoiding SLS just to cause irritation through other ingredients.
Cost: Price matters, but we prefer to look at value for the money when it comes to what we put on/in our bodies. The best non-SLS toothpaste is rarely the cheapest one, after all.

Oh - and make sure you’re scanning the label for SLES if you’re trying to avoid SLS. SLES (short for Sodium Laureth Sulfate) is a very similar surfactant that brands will rely on instead of SLS. It’s gentler, but you’re better off without it if you find SLS to be irritating.

Brush Smarter With Non-SLS Toothpaste Today!

Whether you’re looking for the best remineralizing toothpaste or the best toothpaste for cavities, SLS doesn’t have to be a part of the picture. You don’t have to compromise on plaque removal, gum support, or cavity prevention, either.

The best SLS-free toothpaste is one of the formulas at LIVFRESH according to clinical studies, dental professionals, and consumers alike. The question is whether you want a formula with or without fluoride. Either way, you’re getting the best toothpaste without SLS!

Frequently asked questions

Why avoid SLS in toothpaste?

SLS isn’t dangerous, but it can cause more harm than good. A lot of people find it to be very irritating, almost as if it leaves the mouth feeling very raw. It’s something you’ll want to steer clear of if you’re prone to canker sores, too. The fact of the matter is SLS doesn’t bring any oral health benefits to your toothpaste. It’s there as a delivery vehicle only. That “foam” is not necessary for an effective clean.

Which toothpastes are SLS-free?

All of the formulas listed above are free of SLS. The question is really which is the BEST non-SLS toothpaste, and that’ll come down to what you’re looking for in a formula. LIVFRESH Gum Protect+ is the #1 choice on clinical evidence. LIVFRESH Original Dental Gel is a close second if you want something fluoride-free.

Do all Colgate toothpastes contain SLS?

No, but most do, so we chose not to feature Colgate on this list of the best SLS-free toothpaste brands. The one exception worth looking at is Colgate Total Gum Protect.

Is there a Crest toothpaste without SLS?

Yes, Crest Pro-Health Densify Active Repair is SLS-free. So is Crest Pro-Health Clean and Free. Most other Crest toothpaste formulas have SLS, though.

Does Sensodyne contain SLS?

Not every formula. The whole Sensodyne ProNamel line is SLS-free. That’s part of what makes this one of the best formulas for sensitivity specifically. However, some Sensodyne toothpastes still contain SLS, so do your due diligence scanning the label before you buy.

Is SLS-free toothpaste better for children?

A lot of parents decide to look for the best toothpaste without SLS because kids find the excessive foam annoying and are resistant to brushing because of it. It’s just one fewer barrier to getting your child to buy into oral care.

What is the best SLS-free toothpaste of all?

LIVFRESH Gum Protect+ is the best SLS-free toothpaste for most people because it combines Stannous Fluoride with Activated Edathamil for a two-pronged approach to oral care. It reduces gum bleeding and inflammation 400% better while removing plaque 160% better. It’s free of SLS, abrasives, parabens, gluten, sugar, and triclosan. It may even help remineralize teeth better than nano-hydroxyapatite.