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

Is Sodium C12-15 Pareth Sulfate natural?

Mostly not. The C12-15 alkyl blend includes odd-carbon chains characteristic of petrochemical Ziegler/oxo alcohols rather than natural even-chain fats; ethoxylate is also petrochemical.

INCI nameSodium C12-15 Pareth Sulfate
CAS91648-56-5
FunctionCleansing · Emulsifying Surfactant
FeedstockThe C12-15 alcohol blend is predominantly a synthetic…

How we scored it

C12-15 alkyl blend (~C13.5 avg, ~190 Da) is a synthetic Ziegler/oxo alcohol including odd carbons atypical of natural fats (petrochemical) + ~3 mol EO ~132 Da (petrochemical) = 322; sulfate+Na ~119 Da (mineral) / 441 total = 0.27
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 alcohol blend is predominantly a synthetic Ziegler or oxo-process alcohol (e.g., Neodol-type), since natural fat hydrolysis does not yield this odd/even carbon mix commercially. It is ethoxylated, sulfated, and neutralized with sodium.

In plain English

A cleansing surfactant made from a blend of synthetic (petrochemical) fatty alcohols reacted with ethylene oxide and sulfated. Used in shampoos and cleansers for foaming and cleaning.

CosIng definition: Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-C12-15-alkyl-.omega.-sulfooxy-, sodium salt (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. 2SODIUM C12-15 PARETH SULFATE. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  3. 3SODIUM C12-15 PARETH 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%20PARETH%20SULFATE