Skincare:
Sodium C14‑16 Olefin Sulfonate (AOS) is a potent anionic surfactant renowned for its strong cleansing power and rich foam stability, effectively removing oils, impurities, and makeup residue by reducing surface tension and facilitating their displacement from the skin surface. Its high performance in the presence of hard water also makes it highly reliable in cleansing formulas where water quality may vary.
Haircare:
In haircare formulations, this ingredient’s excellent lathering capacity — paired with its ability to dissolve sebum and residues — makes it a valuable surfactant for shampoos and scalp-cleansing products. It ensures deep yet efficient cleaning, promoting a refreshed scalp without necessarily compromising on sensory experience. However, due to its strength, it may cause dryness or potential barrier disruption, especially in sensitive skin or leave-on contexts.
Quick Insights
Ingredient Rating:
CAUTION
Type of Ingredient:
Texture Enhancer, Cleansing Agent and Emulsifier
Intended Function:
To provide powerful cleansing and foaming capabilities while supporting product spreadability and emulsion stability.
Common Applications:
Widely used in rinse-off formulations like facial cleansers, body washes, shampoos, foaming gels, and cleansing masks, primarily to elevate cleansing efficacy and foam quality.
Target Audience:
Formulators and brand owners developing cleansers that require high-performance, cost-effective surfactants, while balancing potential sensitization in sensitive formulations.
Also Known As:
Sodium α‑Olefin Sulfonate (AOS), Sodium C14‑16 Alpha Olefin Sulfonate, Alpha-Olefin Sulfonate.
Safety Analysis
Safety Profile & Concentration Limits: The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Panel considers sodium α‑olefin sulfonates safe for use in rinse-off products and safe up to 2% in leave-on products, with strict impurity limits on gamma sultones — ≤10 ppm for saturated sultones, 1 ppm for chlorosultones, and 0.1 ppm for unsaturated sultones.
Irritation Potential: At concentrations above approximately 5%, ocular irritation becomes moderate; at 10%, significant irritation may occur. Dermal studies show mixed irritation profiles, particularly when applied at high concentrations on compromised skin.
Toxicological Data: Rodent studies reveal no carcinogenic properties. Genotoxicity assays were negative, and reproductive toxicity only appeared at doses already showing maternal toxicity.
Regulatory & Environmental Considerations: The EU and FDA recognize its safe use in specified concentrations. It is poorly absorbed through intact skin but may penetrate compromised skin more readily. Environmentally, it is readily biodegradable, with low persistence or bioaccumulation, and low aquatic toxicity.
Summary: Ideal for rinse-off formulations at moderate levels. For leave-on products or sensitive skin applications, usage should be minimal, combined with milder surfactants, and impurity levels carefully controlled.
References
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