Question 1

What does Sodium Trideceth Sulfate do in a cosmetic formula?

Accepted Answer

This ingredient is an anionic surfactant used to create foam, lift oil and soil, and build cleansing power in shampoos, body washes, and facial cleansers. It is often paired with amphoteric surfactants to improve mildness and viscosity.

Question 2

Is Sodium Trideceth Sulfate clean?

Accepted Answer

From a clean-beauty perspective, this ingredient has friction because it is ethoxylated and can carry trace process-related residues such as 1,4-dioxane if not well purified. It can also be drying or irritating at higher active levels, especially in leave-on formats, though it is mainly used in rinse-off products.

Question 3

Is Sodium Trideceth Sulfate sustainable?

Accepted Answer

This material is typically made from fatty alcohol feedstocks that may be petrochemical or oleochemical, followed by ethoxylation and sulfation. It is generally biodegradable in wastewater systems, but its manufacturing route is less aligned with low-impact processing than simpler plant-derived surfactants.

Question 4

Is Sodium Trideceth Sulfate COSMOS-approved?

Accepted Answer

It is not aligned with COSMOS-natural or COSMOS-organic standards because ethoxylated surfactants are generally outside the permitted chemistry set. From a Green Chemistry view, its biodegradability is a positive, while ethoxylation chemistry and possible nonrenewable feedstock content are the main compromises.

Question 5

How does Sodium Trideceth Sulfate work chemically?

Accepted Answer

The molecule is a sodium salt of a sulfated ethoxylated C13 alcohol, combining a hydrophobic alkyl chain, polyether spacer, and anionic it head group. In rinse-off formulas, it is commonly used as part of a surfactant blend, with final active surfactant levels often in the low single digits to mid-teens depending on foam, viscosity, and mildness targets.