Database/Cleansing/Dodecylbenzene Sulfonic Acid
Mostly petroleum · ISO 16128

Is Dodecylbenzene Sulfonic Acid natural?

Mostly not. The C10-13 alkyl chain and benzene ring are petrochemical (kerosene paraffins plus benzene); the sulfonic acid group from SO3 is mineral.

INCI nameDodecylbenzene Sulfonic Acid
CAS27176-87-0
FunctionCleansing · Cleansing Surfactant
FeedstockLinear alkylbenzene made from benzene and n-paraffins or…

How we scored it

C18H30O3S 326.5: C12H25-C6H4 245.4 petrochemical (benzene plus n-paraffin/olefin); SO3H 81.1 mineral; 81.1 / 326.5 = 0.25.
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

Linear alkylbenzene made from benzene and n-paraffins or olefins is sulfonated with SO3 or oleum. No oleochemical or bio-based alkylbenzene is commercial.

In plain English

A strong cleansing surfactant acid, used to make detergent-type cleansers once neutralised. It is made from petrochemical alkylbenzene that is sulfonated with sulfur trioxide.

CosIng definition: Benzenesulfonic acid, 4-C10-13-sec-alkyl derivs.

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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. 2DODECYLBENZENE SULFONIC ACID. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  3. 3DODECYLBENZENE SULFONIC ACID. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=DODECYLBENZENE%20SULFONIC%20ACID