Sodium Stearyl Sulfate

What is Sodium Stearyl Sulfate?

Sodium Stearyl Sulfate is the sodium salt of the sulfuric acid ester of stearyl alcohol, a saturated C18 fatty alcohol typically derived from vegetable or synthetic sources. This anionic surfactant is widely incorporated into rinse-off formulations such as shampoos, body washes, facial cleansers, and some hair conditioners. It functions by significantly reducing the surface tension at the interface between water and hydrophobic substances like oils and sebum, facilitating their removal during rinsing. Additionally, its emulsifying action stabilizes oil-in-water mixtures by creating a protective film around oil droplets, ensuring product uniformity in lotions and creams. The extended alkyl chain length contributes to a gentler profile compared to shorter-chain sulfates, making it suitable for everyday cleansing routines without excessive drying.

Comedogenic Rating 0/5 Low risk of clogging pores
EWG Safety Rating 1 View on EWG →
PubChem View on PubChem →

Roles in Formulation

This ingredient serves the following purposes in cosmetic formulations:

Surfactant
Lowers surface tension to enable cleansing, emulsifying, and foaming; central to shampoos, body washes, and many emulsions and micellar systems.
Cleansing agent
Removes dirt, oil, and impurities by lowering surface tension and forming micelles, enabling soils to be lifted and rinsed away from skin, hair, or teeth.
Emulsifying agent
Enables stable mixing of oil and water phases by forming an interfacial film, helping create lotions, creams, and cleansers with consistent texture.

Benefits

Delivers effective dirt and oil removal through micelle formation for clean skin feel.

Supports stable emulsions in creams and lotions for smooth texture.

Produces desirable foam in washes and shampoos for enhanced user experience.

Who It's For

A quick guide for who this ingredient may suit (and who should be cautious).

Who May Benefit Who Should Avoid
Individuals with normal or oily skin needing reliable cleansing.
Those with extremely sensitive skin prone to any surfactant reaction.
Users of foaming cleansers and shampoos for everyday hygiene.
Individuals preferring completely sulfate-free products.
People formulating or using emulsions that require phase stability.
People with very dry skin who favor non-foaming, barrier-focused cleansers.

Safety Notes

  • Rated low hazard by EWG, indicating minimal health concerns in cosmetics.
  • Non-comedogenic, unlikely to clog pores based on available data.

Frequently Asked Questions about Sodium Stearyl Sulfate

Is sodium stearyl sulfate safe for daily use?

Yes, it's considered safe in rinse-off cosmetics at standard concentrations, with low hazard ratings from authoritative reviews.

Does it clog pores?

No, it has a comedogenic rating of 0, making it suitable for acne-prone skin.

Is it milder than other sulfates?

Yes, its C18 chain length results in gentler action compared to shorter-chain sulfates like lauryl.