A Workhorse Cleansing Agent Behind Everyday Foaming Products
Sodium Laureth Sulfate supplied in a 1 kg pack is one of the most widely used anionic surfactants in the manufacturing of shampoos, shower gels, facial cleansers, dish soaps and household cleaning products. This ingredient belongs to the broad category of Surfactants, which covers a wide range of cleansing and foam-boosting compounds used across cosmetic and chemical manufacturing. A kilogram-size pack is well suited for small-batch production runs, formulation trials in a studio setting, and pilot testing before scaling up to larger industrial volumes, which is why many formulators keep this size on hand for working batches.
The main application of this compound lies in creating foaming and cleansing formulas with a comparatively gentle effect on skin and hair. It is heavily used in shampoo production, including mild sulfate-based lines marketed for sensitive scalps, shower gels, liquid soaps, intimate wash foams, as well as dishwashing liquids and general household cleaners. It also plays a notable role in car care chemistry, particularly in car shampoos and contactless washing formulas where a thick, stable foam and strong soil removal are required. In food and pharmaceutical manufacturing this compound is rarely relevant, since its main field of use remains household and cosmetic chemistry.
Chemically it is an ethoxylated derivative of lauryl alcohol, which makes it milder than classic sodium lauryl sulfate and less likely to cause skin irritation, a property that formulators often highlight when positioning a product as gentle. It blends well with other anionic and amphoteric surfactants: pairing it with Sodium lauryl sulfate 30% boosts overall foaming power, while combining it with Alpha Olefin Sulfonate Sodium AOS improves foam stability in hard water conditions. To soften the overall profile of a formula and reduce the drying effect on skin, many technologists add a small portion of a mild sulfate-free surfactant such as RESASSOL ARGAN, which brings extra mildness to the finished product.
This ingredient should be introduced during the water phase mixing stage, at a temperature of around 40-50 degrees Celsius, added gradually under constant stirring to avoid excessive foam generation during production. Typical dosage in finished personal care products ranges from 8 to 15 percent of the total formula weight, depending on the desired foam density and cleansing strength. Exceeding recommended levels may lead to excessive skin degreasing, so it is important to balance the formula with additional emollients and moisturizing agents. Store the raw material in a tightly sealed container, in a dry area away from direct sunlight, heat sources and temperature fluctuations.
Everyday Dish Cleaning Concentrate
Sodium Laureth Sulfate 150 g
Distilled water 700 ml
Alpha Olefin Sulfonate Sodium AOS 40 g
Glycerin 20 ml
Citric acid 5 g
Fragrance oil 6 ml
Preservative 5 ml
Dissolve
the Sodium Laureth Sulfate gradually into warm distilled water while stirring
continuously, then blend in the Alpha Olefin Sulfonate Sodium AOS and glycerin
until the mixture becomes uniform. Once the base cools to room temperature, add
the fragrance oil and preservative, then adjust the final thickness with citric
acid until the concentrate reaches a smooth pourable consistency.