Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, commonly known as ALS, is an anionic surfactant widely used in cosmetic and personal-care formulations for its cleansing and foaming properties. It is also known as Ammonium Dodecyl Sulfate. The product has CAS Number 2235-54-3, molecular formula C₁₂H₂₉NO₄S, and molecular weight 283.43 g/mol.
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate contains a hydrophobic lauryl chain and a hydrophilic sulfate group. This chemical structure gives it surface-active properties, allowing it to interact with water, oils and other impurities. As a result, it can support the removal of unwanted materials from skin and hair during cleansing.
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate is commonly considered for rinse-off cosmetic formulations such as shampoos, body washes, shower gels, bath products and other cleansing preparations where effective lather and cleansing performance are required.
Commercial Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate can be supplied at different active concentrations. Therefore, the exact appearance, pH, active matter, viscosity and other technical characteristics depend on the specific grade.
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate is an alkyl sulfate anionic surfactant and is the ammonium salt of lauryl sulfate.
Its molecular structure contains a C12 alkyl chain connected to a sulfate group, while ammonium acts as the counter-ion. The combination of hydrophobic and hydrophilic portions allows the material to function effectively at interfaces between water and oily or non-polar substances.
Key chemical identity parameters include:
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate should be distinguished from Ammonium Laureth Sulfate, which has a different chemical structure and technical identity.
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate works through surface-active action. Its hydrophobic portion has an affinity for oils and non-polar materials, while its hydrophilic sulfate portion interacts with water.
When used in an aqueous cosmetic formulation, the surfactant can form micellar structures. These structures help surround and disperse oily substances and surface impurities so they can be removed with water.
Its surface-active behavior also contributes to foam formation. This makes Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate useful in formulations where both cleansing performance and visible lather are desired.
The final performance depends on the concentration of the surfactant, formulation pH, water quality and its combination with other surfactants and formulation ingredients.
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate is primarily used as a cleansing surfactant. It assists in removing oils, sebum, dirt and other surface impurities by helping disperse them in the aqueous phase.
This functionality makes it suitable for various rinse-off cosmetic and personal-care products.
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate can generate foam when a formulation is agitated with water. Its foaming capability makes it suitable for shampoos, body washes, shower gels and bath products.
The final foam characteristics depend on the complete surfactant system and other formulation components.
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate is an anionic surfactant because its surface-active portion carries a negative charge in aqueous systems.
This characteristic influences its interaction with other surfactants, polymers, conditioning agents and formulation ingredients.
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate is primarily used in cleansing and foaming cosmetic formulations.
Common application areas include:
The appropriate concentration and grade should be selected according to the intended application and complete formulation requirements.
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate is suitable for consideration in shampoo formulations where cleansing and foam generation are required.
In a shampoo system, it can contribute to the removal of oils and impurities from hair and scalp while providing a noticeable lather during use. Formulators may combine Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate with amphoteric, nonionic or other anionic surfactants to achieve the required cleansing, foam, viscosity and sensory characteristics.
The selection of the surfactant system should be based on the intended product characteristics and formulation requirements.
When formulating with Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, the active matter concentration of the selected grade is an important consideration.
Commercial ALS products can be available in different concentrations, including approximately 30% active aqueous grades and higher-active grades. Therefore, the amount of commercial material required in a formulation depends on the actual active matter of the supplied grade.
Formulators should evaluate parameters such as:
The pH and other technical specifications should always be interpreted according to the specific test method and commercial grade.
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate may be supplied as a liquid aqueous solution or as a higher-active paste depending on its concentration.
Lower-active grades can have a liquid appearance, while higher-active grades can have a more viscous or paste-like physical form.
Important characteristics include:
Because commercial concentrations vary, appearance, viscosity, pH and active matter should be confirmed against the specification for the exact grade being supplied.
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate is an important cosmetic surfactant for manufacturers developing cleansing and foaming personal-care formulations.
As a cosmetic ingredient, it can be considered for shampoos, body washes, shower gels, bath products and other rinse-off formulations.
Manufacturers sourcing Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate in India should evaluate the exact grade according to its active matter, CAS Number, pH, appearance, color, impurity profile and formulation suitability.
For commercial procurement, technical documentation such as a Certificate of Analysis (COA), Technical Data Sheet (TDS) and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) can be used to verify the supplied material.
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate can be sourced in India according to the required concentration, grade, quantity and packaging requirements.
For B2B procurement, manufacturers should communicate their technical requirements clearly before ordering. Important purchasing considerations include:
Selecting the appropriate grade helps ensure that the raw material is suitable for the intended formulation and manufacturing process.
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate can be supplied for bulk cosmetic raw-material requirements in different commercial concentrations and packaging formats.
For bulk purchasing, customers should specify the required active concentration, quantity, packaging type and technical documentation.
Bulk procurement should be based on the specification of the exact grade rather than relying on generic specifications, because parameters such as active matter, pH, viscosity and appearance can vary between grades.
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate can be considered for cosmetic and personal-care formulations requiring established cleansing and foaming functionality.
Key product characteristics include:
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate is an anionic surfactant used primarily as a cleansing and foaming ingredient in cosmetic and personal-care formulations.
The CAS Number of Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate is 2235-54-3.
The molecular formula is C₁₂H₂₉NO₄S.
The molecular weight of Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate is 283.43 g/mol.
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate is mainly used for cleansing and foaming in shampoos, body washes, shower gels, bath products and other rinse-off cosmetic formulations.
Yes. Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate is an anionic alkyl sulfate surfactant.
Its main cosmetic functions are cleansing, foaming and surface-active action.
Yes. Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate can be used in shampoo formulations as a cleansing and foaming surfactant.
It is used in shampoos, body washes, shower gels, bath products, liquid cleansing products and other rinse-off personal-care formulations.
The active matter depends on the commercial grade. ALS is available in different concentrations, including approximately 30% active grades and higher-active grades.
The pH is grade- and test-method dependent. The exact pH specification should be confirmed from the COA or TDS of the supplied grade.
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate is used in aqueous formulations and suitable commercial grades are water-compatible. Exact solubility characteristics depend on concentration and grade.
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate can be sourced from cosmetic ingredient manufacturers and suppliers in India according to the required grade, active matter and technical specification.
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate can be purchased from Indian cosmetic raw-material manufacturers and B2B suppliers according to the required quantity, grade and specification.
Yes. Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate can be procured for bulk cosmetic raw-material requirements, subject to the available grade, packaging and quantity.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Creamy white to pale yellow |