How we scored it
Where it comes from
Alpha-olefin from ethylene oligomerisation is sulfonated with SO3 and neutralised with NaOH, giving alkene and hydroxyalkane sulfonates. Oleochemically derived olefin sulfonates are not a significant commercial supply.
In plain English
A cleansing surfactant that makes foam and lifts oil and dirt in shampoos, body washes and similar products. It is made by sulfonating long-chain olefin hydrocarbons, usually from ethylene, and neutralising with sodium hydroxide.
CosIng definition: Sulfonic acids, C16-18-alkane hydroxy and C16-18-alkene, sodium salts
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References
- 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.
- 2SODIUM C16-18 OLEFIN SULFONATE. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
- 3SODIUM C16-18 OLEFIN SULFONATE. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=SODIUM%20C16-18%20OLEFIN%20SULFONATE