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Common Name(s): Ammonium alkyl sulfate,anionic surfactant,foaming cleansing agent

CAS Number: N/a

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Provides ammonium alkyl sulfate anionic foaming cleansing.

Why It's Used: Foundational anionic surfactant โ€” ammonium alkyl sulfate provides the reliable foam and cleansing performance of the classic sulfate anionic class, with mildness optimised through pairing with mild co-surfactants (betaines, amphoterics, ether carboxylates).

How It Works: Fatty alcohol + sulfation + ammonium neutralisation. sulfate ester: fully ionised all ph. good foam. anionic cleansing. biodegradable: linear chain ฮฒ-oxidation. mildness: improve with cocamidopropyl betaine co-surfactant.

Typically Found In: Shampoos,body wash,cleansers

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Active ingredient โ€“ cosmetic active

Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning

Application Areas:

Facial Skincare

Body Care

Hair Care

Beard Care

Color Cosmetics (Makeup)

Dietary/Oral Supplements

Typical Concentration Range: 5%โ€“25%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Conditional - feedstock declaration required

Halal Status: Unverified - feedstock declaration required (plant, animal and petrochemical routes all exist)

Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier. [audit 2026-07-29 rev2: origin-dependent: the same inci exists in plant, animal and petrochemical versions and the name does not discriminate. determination requires shariah-panel sign-off.]

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ€“ very low

Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ€“ non-comedogenic

Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.

Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes

SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY

Safety Profile: Good safety profile at recommended concentrations. ewg score: 1โ€“2.

Works Well With: Standard skincare actives

Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Alkyl sulfate mildness optimisation with co-surfactants: adding 1 part cocamidopropyl betaine to 3 parts sodium lauryl sulfate reduces irritation equivalent to formulating with 2ร— the quantity of sles-2 (a milder but more expensive surfactant). the betaine's zwitterionic character reduces sls micelle charge density by mixed micelle dilution โ€” cost-effective mildness improvement from co-surfactant addition rather than expensive base surfactant replacement.

Last Verified: 2026-03-12

Primary Sources: Cosing database,ammonium alkyl sulfate mildness optimisation review