Functions
Cleansing agent
Surfactant
Foam booster
Detergent
Emulsifier
CAS Number(s)
3088-31-1
9004-82-4
68891-38-3
1335-72-4
68585-34-2
91648-56-5
EINECS number(s)
221-416-0
500-234-8
500-223-8
293-918-8
FDA UNII
BPV390UAP0
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is derived from coconut and it is used primarily as a detergent-cleansing agent. It is the sodium salt of the ether sulfate obtained through the sulfation of ethoxylated lauryl alcohol.
It is considered a gentle and effective surfactant and is the most commonly used ether sulfate. SLES is a viscous pale yellow liquid that is water-soluble.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate is used in shampoos, shower gels, foam baths, bubble baths, and cleansers at 5-40%. It is a versatile, cost-effective surfactant for use in personal cleansing products.
The degree of ethoxylation can be varied by incorporating from one to 12 moles of ethylene oxide into a mole of fatty alcohol prior to the sulfation process. The degree of ethoxylation has a dramatic effect on many of a surfactant's most important properties. A higher degree of ethoxylation will increase mildness, but it also will decrease foaming and viscosity building. A formulator, therefore, must choose a level of ethoxylation that best balances mildness and foaming ability.Sodium Laureth Sulfate provides superior flash foam and lather characteristics. SLES has good skin compatibility.
Synonyms
sodium 2-(2-dodecyloxyethoxy)ethyl sulphate
Sodium Laureth-3 Sulfate
Related ingredients
Topically, it has been used in lotions as a soothing agent, oil-in-water emulsifier, and as astringent. Acacia Senegal gum is used externally to cover inflamed surfaces like bums or nodular leprosy.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a universal, exceptionally easy-to-disperse polymer that offers the formulation flexibility of a multi-use rheological additive and a wide range of performance properties.
Thanks to the specificity of its inter-glycosidic bonds, Alpha-Glucan is a selective substrate for the nutrition and development of the skin's saprophytic (beneficial) flora to the detriment of undesirable opportunists flora (pathogenic or not) ready to invade the skin at the slightest sign of imbalance.
Aprilose is a natural polymer containing in apricot kernel oil. It smooths, calms and soothes irritated skin.
The honeybee produces an organic skincare ingredient, beeswax, which contains a mixture of fatty acids and esters. It is used in a range of organic skincare products as a thickener and emulsifier.
Behenyl alcohol is a long chain linear fatty alcohol (with 22 carn atoms) derived from natural raw materials such as rapeseed or coconut oils. It is a waxy solid at room temperature used in skin and hair care formulations as a thickener, emulsifier, binding agent, solubilizer, and gallant.
Capryloyl glycine is an amide of Glycine (amino acid) and Caprylic acid (a fatty acid that contains eight carbon atoms in the chain). It's a member of the N-acyl glycines family, normally occurring in human tissues, so it's a safe component for skin care formulations.
Made from vegetable oils and starch, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside is a non-ionic surfactant in demand for its performance, mildness, and low ecotoxicity
Carbomers are acrylic polymers used as an emulsifier, stabilizer, or thickener in skincare formulations. Its viscosity-building effect makes it suitable for use as a co-stabilizer in skincare applications, while its crystal clear appearance also makes it ideal for use in hair gels.
Promotes the breakdown of fat, is a very good skin energizer. It accelerates the fat-burning process, thus boosting energy production by burning the body‘s fat reserves.
Centella Asiatica extract is rich in saponins (centelloids), flavonoids, phenolic acids, triterpene steroids, amino acids, and oligosaccharides. Thus, it exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, and barrier-replenishing effects on the skin.
Ceteareth-20 is an ether of Cetearyl alcohol and polyglycol with approximately 20 units in length, free of ethylene oxide-containing substances. It's a water-in-oil emulsifier (also a co-emulsifier in oil-in-water formulas) with high emulsifying properties.