Common Name(s): Calcium xylenesulfonate,cxs,calcium dimethylbenzenesulfonate

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Helps surfactants mix and stay clear in water-based formulas.

Why It's Used: Used as a hydrotrope and electrolyte in shampoos and liquid cleansers; the divalent calcium form provides different ionic strength characteristics than monovalent potassium/sodium analogues.

How It Works: Divalent calcium sulfonate provides stronger ionic interactions versus monovalent na/k forms; disrupts micellar aggregation to elevate cloud point; may also act as a mild viscosity modifier.

Typically Found In: Shampoos,liquid cleansers,surfactant concentrates

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Functional ingredient – surfactant

Secondary Functions: Hydrotrope,viscosity controlling

Application Areas:

Typical Concentration Range: 0.5%–3%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Yes

Halal Status: Yes

Source Notes: Synthetic; xylene sulfonation followed by calcium salt formation.

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low

Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic

Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating at typical levels.

Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes

SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY

Safety Profile: Good safety profile. ewg score: 1–2.

Works Well With: Anionic surfactants,amphoteric surfactants

Avoid Combining With: May precipitate with phosphate-heavy systems at high concentrations

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Divalent metal sulfonates can show different hydrotrope efficiency than monovalent forms due to stronger ion pairing; less commonly used than sodium/potassium xylenesulfonates in cosmetics.

Last Verified: 2026-03-27

Primary Sources: Cosing database,inci dictionary