Sodium Laureth Sulfate

Sodium Laureth Sulfate 1
photograph
AKA: 9004-82-4, 15826-16-1, Sodium;2-dodecoxyethyl sulfate, Sodium 2-(dodecyloxy)ethyl sulphate, Sodium lauryl oxyethyl sulfate, 2-(Dodecyloxy)ethyl sodium sulfate, Sodium 2-(dodecyloxy)ethyl sulfate, Ethanol, Hydrogen sulfate, Sodium salt
Synthetic
Cleanser
Not Clean
OriginDerived from coconut or palm kernel oils, which contain lauryl alcohol as a natural fatty alcohol precursor. Synthesized through ethoxylation of lauryl alcohol, then sulfated to create the anionic surfactant.
See also: Sodium laureth-12 sulfate (annotation moved to); Sodium laureth-5 sulfate (annotation moved to); Sodium laureth-8 sulfate (annotation moved to) ... View More ...
Formula
C14H29NaO5S
Mol. Weight
332.43
CAS #
3088-31-1, 9004-82-4, 68891-38-3, 1335-72-4, 68585-34-2, 91648-56-5
Form
Powder
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Functions
Surfactant
Makes oil and water mix so dirt, makeup, and sunscreen can actually be washed away. The reason your face wash foams.
Removes Impurities
Emulsifier
Creates Lather
Cleansing Surfactant
Removes dirt and impurities
Creates cleansing foam
Lifts away dirt and oil
Mixes oil and water
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed2 reviews →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
EWG
3
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
—
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
3 studies / 3 not sensitizing (CIR 218)
Not Phototoxic
CIR Panel statement found no phototoxicity in the CIR safety assessment (CIR 533)
Mixed Eye Irritation Results
1 study / 1 mixed / reactions severe (CIR 218)
Mixed Skin Irritation Results
12 studies / 10 irritating / 1 mixed / 1 not irritating / reactions minimal to severe (CIR 218)
Regulatory Status
USA✔ permitted
CANADA✔ permitted
Regulatory Agencies
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR