Database/Cleansing/Sodium C12-15 Alkyl Sulfate
Mostly petroleum · ISO 16128

Is Sodium C12-15 Alkyl Sulfate natural?

Mostly not. Sulfate and sodium are mineral; the C12-15 alcohol blend has the odd chain lengths that natural fats lack, so it comes from petrochemical oxo or SHOP processes.

INCI nameSodium C12-15 Alkyl Sulfate
CAS68890-70-0
FunctionCleansing · Emulsifying Surfactant
FeedstockThe C12-15 cut, with odd chain lengths absent…

How we scored it

Avg C13.5: alkyl-O 206.4 (oxo or SHOP alcohol, petrochemical) + SO3Na 103.1 (mineral) = 309.4; 103.1 / 309.4 = 0.33, as for Sodium Tridecyl Sulfate (0.34).
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

The C12-15 cut, with odd chain lengths absent from natural fats, is most often an ethylene-derived oxo or SHOP alcohol (Neodol-type), sulfated with SO3 and neutralised with NaOH. Oleochemical coconut or palm kernel blends are the natural alternative.

In plain English

A foaming cleansing agent (surfactant) used to lift oil and dirt in washes and shampoos. It is a sulfated C12-15 alcohol neutralised with sodium; the alcohol blend is made from petrochemicals.

CosIng definition: Sulfuric acid, mono-C12-15-alkyl esters, sodium salts

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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. 2SODIUM C12-15 ALKYL SULFATE. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  3. 3SODIUM C12-15 ALKYL SULFATE. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=SODIUM%20C12-15%20ALKYL%20SULFATE