Low Stimulus Surfactant: Sodium C12-13 Pareth Sulfate

Due to the skin’s metabolism, we are bound to have oil and dirt on our bodies. So, shampoo and body wash are essential for maintaining good health. You must have experienced a certain shampoo that made your scalp feel tight or your hair frizzy. Or some shower gel may give the skin a feeling of incomplete cleansing. What’s the reason for this? Most likely, it is caused by some component of it. Currently, a less irritating and more moisturizing ingredient has received growing attention, which is sodium C12-13 pareth sulfate. What is it? Is it safe? Let’s explore together.

What is sodium C12-13 pareth sulfate?

The main functions of cosmetics and skincare products are cleaning agents and surfactants. It has relatively low irritation to the skin and cornea and is commonly used in products such as facial cleansers, shampoos, and shower gels.

Surfactants are of great significance for cleaning the skin and hair. It can mix two substances that are immiscible well together, such as oil and water. Because of its unique characteristics, it has many applications in cosmetics. For example, it can be found in shampoo and shower gel as a diligent cleaner to remove all the annoying fats and dirt. Moreover, it can also work in toothpaste, allowing active ingredients to dissolve in the mouth quickly and evenly cover the teeth.

Is sodium C12-13 pareth sulfate safe?

Generally speaking, cleaning products containing sulfates are not recommended, mainly because SLS, SLES, and other molecules contain "dodecyl" sulfate components. The ingredient has a strong irritant effect. Moreover, toxic by-products are generated during its processing. This substance is not only carcinogenic, but also has negative effects on the kidneys, liver, and central nervous system.

Research has shown that SLS is highly irritating to the skin and mucous membranes. Contact with the eyes can cause strong pain, tearing, and blurred vision. If it accidentally gets into the eyes, please rinse immediately with plenty of water.

If your skin is sensitive, try not to use toiletries containing this ingredient. Even for non-sensitive skin, excessive use of products containing SLS may damage the skin’s barrier function, so it should be used in moderation. If it enters the mouth, it may cause irritation and damage to the mouth, throat, and gastrointestinal tract, leading to discomfort symptoms such as nausea.

Is sodium C12-13 pareth sulfate safe? Simply put, it does not belong to the commonly referred to “sulfate-containing” products. Because this ingredient has low irritation to the skin. It is different from the components containing dodecyl groups mentioned above. Besides, it also has biodegradability, which means it is environmentally friendly and causes minimal pollution.

Applications of sodium C12-13 pareth sulfate

It belongs to anionic surfactants and has functions such as foaming and cleaning. Therefore, it can be used as a foaming agent, stain remover, wetting agent, etc., in various fields such as industry and personal care.

Currently, it is widely sought after in personal care products. We all know that a formula with high oil content is the key to providing moisturizing properties. However, excessive oil content can lead to poor foaming properties and more unstable solutions. In addition, many cleaning products on the market have drawbacks such as incomplete cleaning, excessive cleaning, and strong irritation. Sodium C12-13 pareth sulfate can not only moisturize but also produce rich foam.

It has the following advantages:

l At 20℃, it is easy to operate because it is viscous and has fluidity;

l Environmentally friendly;

l Low irritability;

l Good cleaning and emulsifying power, very suitable for high oil content washing products;

l High surface activity, and strong synergistic effect with other types of surfactants.

Although other sulfate cleaning agents have strong oil removal effects, they can also damage the natural oil layer. This can cause the skin to lose its barrier, become dry, itchy, and tight, and can also make hair dry and break. However, products containing sodium C12-13 pareth sulfate will not cause this problem because they are milder and more moisturizing.

Conclusion

To sum up, sodium C12-13 pareth sulfate is less irritating and more moisturizing. Besides, it has good stability and foaming properties. So, it is used as a cleaning agent and foaming agent. If you pursue a more comfortable experience and safer ingredients, it is recommended to use toiletries containing this ingredient.