Sodium C12-13 Pareth Sulfate

AKA: Surfactant, Anionic Surfactant

Synthetic

Cleanser

Emulsifier

Plant Oil

Clean

Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-C12-13-alkyl-.omega.-sulfooxy-, sodium salt (1-4 mol EO average molar ratio)

CAS #

91783-23-2

Form

Powder

Functions

Cleansing

Makes oil and water mix so dirt, makeup, and sunscreen can actually be washed away. The reason your face wash foams.

Cleansing

Makes oil and water mix so dirt, makeup, and sunscreen can actually be washed away. The reason your face wash foams.

Emulsifying

Forces oil and water to stay mixed instead of separating into layers. The unsung hero holding your lotion together.

Surfactant Cleansing

Surfactant Emulsifying

Anti-Inflammatory

Antimicrobial

Fights Acne

Removes dirt and impurities

Lifts away dirt and oil

Mixes oil and water

Traditional Use

A synthetic surfactant developed in the 1950s-1960s as part of the petrochemical industry's expansion into personal care. Designed to replace natural soap for improved stability and performance in modern detergent formulations.

EWG

CIR

Safe as used

Pregnancy

Yes

CIR Safety Findings

Not a Sensitizer

medical-approval

all-shades-safe

Regulatory Status

USA✔ permitted

EU⚠ restricted

JAPAN⚠ restricted

CANADA⚠ restricted

Regulatory Agencies

EWG CIR FDA EU COSING Health Canada

Skin Types

●all-skin-types

Best For

General

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe

Yes

The paper trail

🔬Peer-reviewednone on file

⚖️Regulatory1 listing →

🛡️Safety-assessed1 review →

Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.

Verified Jun 2026

Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR