Common Name(s): Anionic surfactant,cleansing agent,foaming active
CAS Number: N/a
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Removes oils, sebum, and surface contaminants through micelle formation with anionic surfactant head groups, generating foam and providing cleansing rinse-off performance.
Why It's Used: Selected for its specific cleansing and foam profile, mildness characteristics, and formulation compatibility within the broader surfactant system.
How It Works: Anionic head group (carboxylate, sulfate, sulfonate, or glutamate) provides water-facing charge while the hydrophobic tail embeds in oil droplets โ micelle formation encapsulates oil and debris for aqueous rinse-off. head group chemistry determines mildness, foam quality, and ph stability.
Typically Found In: Personal care 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%โ25%
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: 1โ2.
Works Well With: Standard skincare actives
Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Anionic surfactant mildness improvement through co-surfactant addition: combining with amphoteric betaines or ether carboxylates reduces irritation through mixed micelle charge dilution without requiring replacement of the primary anionic surfactant.
Last Verified: 2026-03-12
Primary Sources: Cosing database,polyglyceryl-2 lauryl ether anionic surfactant review