Get a Free 5ml Mini Now Free 5ml Mini With Every Order of The Mantle
Moumoujus

SODIUM DODECYLBENZENESULFONATE.

Questionable CAS 25155-30-0 / CLEANSING, SURFACTANT - CLEANSING

Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate is a potent anionic surfactant and cleansing agent. It excels at breaking down oils and impurities, forming micelles to effectively cleanse the skin, and also functions as an emulsifier to stabilize formulations.

Summary

Cleansing Emulsifying Surfactant

Science

Mechanism of Action

This ingredient operates by significantly lowering the surface tension of water, enabling it to better mix with and encapsulate oils and dirt. It facilitates the formation of micelles, structures that trap and suspend impurities, allowing them to be thoroughly rinsed away. Its strong hydrophilic properties also contribute to enhanced foaming.

Research

Clinical Evidence

Medium confidence
Effective range 2–3%
Optimal

N/A

Key findings

  1. 01 In a rabbit skin study, a 15% concentration of Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate was found to be severely irritating.
  2. 02 In vitro studies on human keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells revealed direct cytotoxicity and morphological alterations at concentrations of 20 µg/ml and higher.
  3. 03 Conversely, lower in vitro concentrations (5, 10, and 15 µg/ml) showed no significant impact on the excretion of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-8 from HaCaT cells over 24 hours.
  4. 04 Reported cosmetic product use typically ranges between 2% and 3%.

Transparency

Dusting Analysis

Not commonly dusted

The Formula

Formulation

Solubility
Water
Optimal pH N/A
0 7 14

Stability

Dermal absorption and potential irritancy are influenced by pH. This ingredient demonstrates resistance to hydrolysis in alkaline conditions, making it suitable for formulations with elevated pH.

Conflicts

  • Its detergency can be compromised by hard water, necessitating the inclusion of appropriate chelating agents to maintain performance.

Safety

Safety Profile

CIR Status
Safe with restrictions
Max tested
3%
Sensitization risk Moderate

The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel concluded that Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate is safe for cosmetic use when precisely formulated to be non-irritating. Its irritant potential is concentration- and pH-dependent, mirroring that of other detergents. It has not been identified as a reproductive toxicant, genotoxic, or carcinogen. The FDA recognizes its use as a secondary direct food additive for fruit and vegetable peeling, and its salts as indirect food additives in non-food articles.

Your Skin

Skin Compatibility

No Normal
No Dry
Yes Oily
No Sensitive
Irritancy Medium
Comedogenicity Unknown

Our Assessment

Verdict

Questionable

While an effective cleansing agent for rinse-off products, Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate requires careful formulation to mitigate its medium irritancy potential, making its suitability for precision skincare applications questionable beyond well-controlled cleansing formulations.

Related

Similar Ingredients

Finding similar ingredients…