Sodium laureth sulfate is a detergent, or surfactant.
I don't know which company carries it, but snofdriftfarm carries other surfectants. I like betaine. http://www.snowdriftfarm.com/surfactants.html
Let me get you'll out of your confusion... Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate (SLSA) and Sodium Louryl Sulfate (SLS) are NOT the same thing. SLSA is derived from coconut and palm oils and is not an irritant like SLS. You can use up to 65%... maybe 70% of SLSA in your formulation and it's not supposed to cause any irritation, even on sensitive skin people. You can find out more about this on this site: