Common Name(s): Anionic surfactant,cleansing agent,foaming active

CAS Number: N/a

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Removes oils, sebum, and surface contaminants through micelle formation with anionic surfactant head groups, generating foam and providing cleansing rinse-off performance.

Why It's Used: Selected for its specific cleansing and foam profile, mildness characteristics, and formulation compatibility within the broader surfactant system.

How It Works: Anionic head group (carboxylate, sulfate, sulfonate, or glutamate) provides water-facing charge while the hydrophobic tail embeds in oil droplets — micelle formation encapsulates oil and debris for aqueous rinse-off. head group chemistry determines mildness, foam quality, and ph stability.

Typically Found In: Personal care cleansers

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Active ingredient – cosmetic active

Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning

Application Areas:

Typical Concentration Range: 5%–25%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Conditional - supplier confirmation required

Halal Status: Unverified - supplier confirmation required

Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier. [audit 2026-07-29 rev2: the record's own source_notes does not assert a non-animal origin, or instructs the reader to verify with the supplier; "yes" asserts knowledge the record does not hold. determination requires shariah-panel sign-off.]

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low

Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic

Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.

Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes

SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY

Safety Profile: Good safety profile at recommended concentrations. ewg score: 1–2.

Works Well With: Standard skincare actives

Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Anionic surfactant mildness improvement through co-surfactant addition: combining with amphoteric betaines or ether carboxylates reduces irritation through mixed micelle charge dilution without requiring replacement of the primary anionic surfactant.

Last Verified: 2026-03-12

Primary Sources: Cosing database,brucine sulfate anionic surfactant review