Database/Cleansing/Sodium C14-17 Alkyl Sec Sulfonate
Mostly petroleum · ISO 16128

Is Sodium C14-17 Alkyl Sec Sulfonate natural?

Mostly not. Secondary alkane backbone is sulfoxidised from petroleum paraffin wax; only the sulfonate-sodium head group counts as natural.

INCI nameSodium C14-17 Alkyl Sec Sulfonate
CAS97489-15-1
FunctionCleansing · Foaming
FeedstockMade by reacting petroleum-derived C14-17 linear paraffins with…

How we scored it

Est. C15 (mid of C14-17) secondary alkyl from petroleum paraffin 211 Da (non-natural) + SO3Na 103 Da (natural); 103/314 = 0.33. Chain length averaged; exact formula not supplied.
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

Made by reacting petroleum-derived C14-17 linear paraffins with sulfur dioxide and oxygen, then neutralising with sodium hydroxide. The alkyl backbone is petrochemical; the sulfonate head group is mineral-derived.

In plain English

A cleansing, foam-boosting surfactant used in shampoos and washes. Made by reacting petroleum-derived paraffin wax with sulfur dioxide and oxygen, then neutralising with sodium.

CosIng definition: Sulfonic acids, C14-17-sec-alkane, 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 C14-17 ALKYL SEC SULFONATE. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  3. 3SODIUM C14-17 ALKYL SEC SULFONATE. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=SODIUM%20C14-17%20ALKYL%20SEC%20SULFONATE