An anionic surfactant derived from ethoxylated oleyl alcohol, used for cleansing and foaming.
What it is
Sodium oleth sulfate is the sodium salt of sulfated ethoxylated oleyl alcohol, with an average of one to four ethylene oxide units. CosIng lists it as a cleansing agent, foaming agent and emulsifying 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 INCI name does not show the exact degree of ethoxylation or the source of the oleyl alcohol.
Functions
- Cleansing
- Helping to keep the body surface clean.
- Surfactant – emulsifying
- Helping suspensions or dispersions of liquids in a second liquid by reducing the surface tension of the substances to be emulsified.
- 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.