Sodium C14-16 Alpha Olefin Sulfonate ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is a primary anionic surfactant used for cleansing, lather, and oil removal in shampoos, body washes, facial cleansers, and hand washes. It gives dense foam and strong detergency, so formulators often balance it with milder co-surfactants.
What does Sodium C14-16 Alpha Olefin Sulfonate do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is a primary anionic surfactant used for cleansing, lather, and oil removal in shampoos, body washes, facial cleansers, and hand washes. It gives dense foam and strong detergency, so formulators often balance it with milder co-surfactants.
Is Sodium C14-16 Alpha Olefin Sulfonate clean?
From a clean beauty perspective, it is sulfate-free and ethoxylate-free, so it is not linked to ethoxylation residue concerns such as 1,4-dioxane. The main caveat is skin and eye irritation potential at higher active levels, especially in leave-on or poorly buffered formulas.
Is Sodium C14-16 Alpha Olefin Sulfonate sustainable?
This material is commonly made from petrochemical feedstocks, though renewable hydrocarbon sourcing is possible in some supply chains. It is generally readily biodegradable, but like many high-foaming surfactants, its aquatic impact depends on concentration, dilution, and wastewater treatment.
Is Sodium C14-16 Alpha Olefin Sulfonate COSMOS-approved?
It is generally not aligned with COSMOS-organic or COSMOS-natural when made from conventional petrochemical feedstocks, and acceptance would depend on documented renewable origin and approved processing. From a Green Chemistry lens, good biodegradability is a plus, while nonrenewable sourcing and higher irritation potential keep it in a compromised tier.
How does Sodium C14-16 Alpha Olefin Sulfonate work chemically?
The molecule is an anionic surfactant mixture with C14-C16 hydrophobic chains and strongly water-soluble it head groups, typically used around 3 to 15% active matter in rinse-off cleansing systems. It is stable over a broad pH range and performs well in hard water, but it is often paired with amphoteric or nonionic surfactants to improve mildness and reduce a squeaky afterfeel.
Last updated 2026-08-27