Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is a primary anionic surfactant used for cleansing, foam, and rinse-off detergency in shampoos, body washes, and facial cleansers. It lifts oil and soil effectively but can feel stripping at higher active levels.
What does Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is a primary anionic surfactant used for cleansing, foam, and rinse-off detergency in shampoos, body washes, and facial cleansers. It lifts oil and soil effectively but can feel stripping at higher active levels.
Is Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, it is acceptable but often flagged because it can increase dryness, stinging, and irritation potential, especially in leave-on use or high-foam rinse-off formulas. Residual processing impurities are typically managed by supplier specifications and finished-product testing.
Is Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate sustainable?
This material is commonly made from C12 fatty alcohol sourced from coconut, palm kernel, or petroleum-derived feedstocks. It is generally readily biodegradable, but palm-linked sourcing and aquatic loading from high-volume rinse-off use are the main sustainability considerations.
Is Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate COSMOS-approved?
It can be permitted under COSMOS-natural when the feedstock and manufacturing route meet standard requirements, but it does not contribute meaningfully to an organic-origin claim. Its Green Chemistry profile is mixed, with good biodegradability and possible renewable sourcing balanced by more reactive chemical processing and irritation concerns.
How does Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate work chemically?
The molecule has a C12 hydrophobic chain attached to a strongly anionic head group with an inorganic counterion, giving it high foam and strong oil-removal performance. It is usually used in rinse-off systems with amphoteric or nonionic co-surfactants to reduce harsh feel, and it performs best in mildly acidic to neutral cleansing formulas.
Last updated 2026-05-13