Sodium Stearyl Sulfate

AKA: 1120-04-3, Sodium octadecyl sulfate, OCTADECYL SULFATE SODIUM SALT, Sodium;octadecyl sulfate, Sodium octadecyl sulphate, Octadecyl sodium sulfate, Sulfuric acid, Monooctadecyl ester, Sodium salt, Sodium monostearyl sulfate, Sodium monooctadecyl sulfate
Plant-Derived
Cleanser
Emulsifier
Plant Oil
Clean
Sodium octadecyl sulphate
Formula
C18H37NaO4S
Mol. Weight
372.50
CAS #
1120-04-3
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
Modern anionic surfactant developed in the 20th century as a milder alternative to shorter-chain sulfates. Created to provide effective cleansing while reducing the harsh irritation associated with sodium lauryl sulfate.
EWG
1
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Status
USApermitted
EUrestricted
JAPANrestricted
CANADArestricted
Skin Types
all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewednone on file
⚖️Regulatory1 listing
🛡️Safety-assessed3 reviews
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR