An anionic surfactant, the sodium salt of an ethoxylated lauryl sulfate, used for cleansing and foaming.
What it is
Sodium laureth-8 sulfate is the sodium salt of sulfated ethoxylated lauryl alcohol, with an average of eight ethylene oxide units. CosIng lists it as a cleansing agent, foaming agent and cleansing surfactant.
Where it is used
Found in shampoos, shower gels and other cleansing products.
Limits of interpretation
The INCI list shows which ingredients are present, not how much of each. Above 1%, ingredients are listed in descending order of weight; below 1% the order is free.
The number 8 is an average; the INCI name does not show the distribution of chain lengths.
Functions
- Cleansing
- Helping to keep the body surface clean.
- Foaming
- Traping numerous small bubbles of air or other gas within a small volume of liquid by modifying the surface tension of the liquid.
- Surfactant – cleansing
- Wetting body surfaces, emulsifying or solubilizing oils, and suspending soil (generally, such ingredients contribute to the foaming and lathering properties of cleansing products).
EU regulation
This ingredient is not listed in the annexes of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 in the CosIng data.