Sulfates ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is primarily used as a high-foaming anionic surfactant that lifts oil and soil in shampoos, body washes, and facial cleansers. It also helps build rinse-off cleansing power and foam structure.
What does Sulfates do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is primarily used as a high-foaming anionic surfactant that lifts oil and soil in shampoos, body washes, and facial cleansers. It also helps build rinse-off cleansing power and foam structure.
Is Sulfates clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, it sits in yellow territory because strong cleansing can increase dryness or stinging, especially in sensitive-skin or higher-use contexts. Some retailers flag certain ethoxylated versions due to possible 1,4-dioxane residues, so purification and supplier controls matter.
Is Sulfates sustainable?
It can be made from plant-derived fatty alcohols, petroleum-derived feedstocks, or blends, so sourcing varies. Many linear rinse-off grades biodegrade well, but high-volume aquatic release and palm-linked feedstocks create sourcing and wastewater considerations.
Is Sulfates COSMOS-approved?
COSMOS alignment is conditional: some naturally derived, non-ethoxylated anionic surfactants in this family can be permitted for COSMOS-natural formulas, while petrochemical or ethoxylated grades may not fit. Its Green Chemistry profile is strongest when based on renewable fatty alcohols, made with controlled reagents, and readily biodegradable.
How does Sulfates work chemically?
This material is a family of strong anionic surfactants with a charged ester head group attached to a fatty chain, which lowers surface tension and forms micelles above its critical concentration. It is typically used in rinse-off systems at a few percent active matter, performs across mildly acidic to neutral pH, and is often paired with amphoteric or nonionic surfactants plus polymers to make cleansing feel milder and improve viscosity.
Last updated 2026-05-13