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TEA-LAURYL SULFATE.

Valuable CAS 139-96-8 / CLEANSING, FOAMING, SURFACTANT - CLEANSING, SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING

TEA-Lauryl Sulfate is an anionic surfactant primarily used in cleansing formulations for its effective foaming and emulsifying properties. It facilitates the removal of impurities by reducing water's surface tension, offering a thorough clean when precisely formulated to mitigate irritation risks.

Summary

Cleansing Foaming Surfactant Emulsifying

Science

Mechanism of Action

As an anionic surfactant, TEA-Lauryl Sulfate functions by lowering the surface tension of water. This action allows oil, dirt, and water to more readily combine, effectively emulsifying and lifting impurities from the skin and hair for efficient rinsing and cleansing.

Research

Clinical Evidence

High confidence
Effective range 0.15–10.5%
Optimal

10.5%

Key findings

  1. 01 Human clinical studies indicate that shampoos formulated with up to 10.5% TEA-Lauryl Sulfate caused no irritation under semioccluded conditions; however, concentrations exceeding this level may lead to irritation.
  2. 02 Diluted shampoo formulations containing 0.15-7.5% of this surfactant elicited human skin reactions ranging from no irritation to moderate irritation.
  3. 03 Aqueous shampoo formulations at 0.3-0.42% were clinically confirmed not to induce photosensitization.

Transparency

Dusting Analysis

Not commonly dusted

No available data suggests that TEA-Lauryl Sulfate is commonly 'dusted' or utilized below an effective concentration threshold. Its functional role as a surfactant typically necessitates concentrations sufficient for performance, guided by established safety limits.

The Formula

Formulation

Solubility
Water
Optimal pH 5 – 8
0 7 14

Stability

As an alkyl sulfate ester, TEA-Lauryl Sulfate is prone to hydrolysis, particularly at extreme pH values. Optimal stability is achieved within a pH range of 5.0 to 8.0, with some sources suggesting an ideal range of 7.0-7.5.

Conflicts

  • Nitrosating agents (due to potential for nitrosamine formation)
  • Extreme pH environments (due to hydrolysis)

Safety

Safety Profile

CIR Status
Safe with restrictions
Max tested
10.5%
Sensitization risk Moderate

The CIR Expert Panel concluded that TEA-Lauryl Sulfate is safe for use in cosmetic products at a final concentration not exceeding 10.5%; higher concentrations may cause irritation, especially with prolonged skin contact. A significant concern is the potential for nitrosamine formation in the presence of nitrosating agents. While not directly regulated in the EU, its component, Triethanolamine, is limited to 2.5% in cosmetic products.

Your Skin

Skin Compatibility

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

Our Assessment

Verdict

Valuable

TEA-Lauryl Sulfate is a valuable cleansing and foaming agent for rinse-off products, provided it is meticulously formulated within its established maximum concentration of 10.5% and optimal pH range (5.0-8.0) to minimize irritation and prevent the formation of nitrosamines.

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