Database/Cleansing/DEA-Laureth Sulfate
Mostly natural · ISO 16128

Is DEA-Laureth Sulfate natural?

Mostly. Lauryl and sulfate groups are oleochemical; the ethoxylate chain and diethanolamine counter-ion are both petrochemical, lowering the score versus the sodium salt.

INCI nameDEA-Laureth Sulfate
CAS58855-36-0
FunctionCleansing · Foaming
FeedstockCoconut/palm-kernel lauryl alcohol is ethoxylated (1-4 EO, petrochemical),…

How we scored it

CosIng gives 1-4 mol EO average (used n~2.5, no water lost in ethoxylation/sulfation). Lauryl+SO3 266 Da natural + [EO 110 Da + DEA 105 Da] petrochemical -> 266/482 = 0.55.
What counts. ISO 16128-2 scores the atoms that remain in the final ingredient. Reagents, solvents, catalysts and protecting groups used during manufacture leave no mass behind and are not counted.

Where it comes from

Coconut/palm-kernel lauryl alcohol is ethoxylated (1-4 EO, petrochemical), sulfated, then neutralised with diethanolamine, a petrochemical amine. Exact EO average assumed at the midpoint of the stated range.

In plain English

A gentle foaming cleanser made from coconut-derived fatty alcohol, lightly reacted with a synthetic ingredient before being neutralised with an amine. Found in shampoos and washes.

CosIng definition: Dodecanol, ethoxylated, sulfates, bis(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium salts (1-4 mol EO average molar ratio)

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References

  1. 1ISO 16128-1:2016 and ISO 16128-2:2017 — Guidelines on technical definitions and criteria for natural and organic cosmetic ingredients and products. ISO, Geneva.
  2. 2DEA-LAURETH SULFATE. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  3. 3DEA-LAURETH SULFATE. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=DEA-LAURETH%20SULFATE