Magnesium Laureth Sulfate is an anionic surfactant used in cosmetic and personal-care formulations for cleansing, foaming, wetting and surface-active applications. It is a magnesium salt of laureth sulfate, where the laureth component represents an ethoxylated lauryl alcohol-derived sulfate structure.
Unlike simple fatty alcohol sulfates such as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Magnesium Laureth Sulfate contains an ethoxylated chain, meaning that the molecule contains polyethylene glycol ether units between the hydrophobic alkyl portion and the sulfate group.
Because the degree of ethoxylation can vary, Magnesium Laureth Sulfate is generally better described by its ethoxylation distribution or average ethoxylation level rather than by one single fixed molecular formula and molecular weight.
Magnesium Laureth Sulfate is used in suitable cleansing and foaming systems and can be incorporated into formulations such as shampoos, body washes, liquid cleansers and other rinse-off personal-care products. Its actual performance depends on the grade, active matter, average ethoxylation, concentration and complete formulation.
Magnesium Laureth Sulfate is an anionic ethoxylated fatty alcohol sulfate surfactant.
The molecule combines:
Its amphiphilic structure allows it to interact with both water and hydrophobic materials, making it useful in surface-active formulations.
Important chemical identity note: Magnesium Laureth Sulfate is not a single discrete molecular species when supplied as a commercial laureth sulfate grade. The number of ethylene oxide units can vary, so a single universal molecular formula, CAS number or molecular weight should not be assigned without the exact grade/specification.
Magnesium Laureth Sulfate can be represented conceptually as an ethoxylated alkyl sulfate structure:
CH₃(CH₂)₁₁(OCH₂CH₂)ₙOSO₃⁻
with magnesium ions providing charge balance.
Here, n represents the number of ethylene oxide units, which can vary depending on the commercial material.
This variable ethoxylation is important when documenting:
Magnesium Laureth Sulfate is an anionic surfactant.
Its hydrophobic alkyl chain and ethoxylated segment interact with hydrophobic and aqueous environments, while the sulfate group provides anionic surface activity.
Potential functions include:
The final performance depends on the grade and formulation.
Magnesium Laureth Sulfate can be used as a cleansing surfactant in suitable rinse-off formulations.
The hydrophobic portion can interact with oily materials while the hydrophilic sulfate-containing portion interacts with water. This allows the surfactant system to assist in the removal and dispersion of oily and particulate materials during washing.
Potential applications include:
Magnesium Laureth Sulfate can contribute to foam formation in suitable aqueous formulations.
Foam characteristics depend on:
It can therefore be evaluated in formulations where controlled cleansing and foam are desired.
The amphiphilic structure of Magnesium Laureth Sulfate enables it to participate at interfaces.
Potential formulation functions include:
Actual wetting and surface-activity performance should be established through formulation-specific testing.
Magnesium Laureth Sulfate can be evaluated as an anionic surfactant in shampoo and hair-cleansing formulations.
Potential applications include:
Formulators may evaluate:
Magnesium Laureth Sulfate can be incorporated into suitable body-cleansing systems.
Potential applications include:
Magnesium Laureth Sulfate can be evaluated in suitable rinse-off facial cleansing formulations.
Potential applications include:
The finished formulation should be evaluated for pH, cleansing performance, foam, sensory properties and stability.
Potential applications include:
When evaluating Magnesium Laureth Sulfate, formulators may consider:
The applicable specification depends on the exact commercial grade.
One of the most important characteristics of Magnesium Laureth Sulfate is its ethoxylation.
The term Laureth indicates an ethoxylated lauryl alcohol-derived material. Commercial grades can differ in their average number and distribution of ethylene oxide units.
Therefore, product documentation should identify the specific grade and relevant technical parameters rather than assigning one universal molecular formula.
This is particularly important for:
For ethoxylated surfactants, appropriate quality-control programs may include monitoring of manufacturing-related residual substances such as 1,4-dioxane and residual ethylene oxide where applicable.
The actual limits should be taken from the applicable regulatory requirements and the approved specification of the supplied grade.
A general formulation-development process may include:
Actual processing parameters should be determined from formulation trials.
Solubility and dispersion behavior can depend on:
Formulation-specific testing is recommended before establishing final manufacturing parameters.
The physical form and appearance of Magnesium Laureth Sulfate are grade-dependent.
Commercial materials may differ according to:
The exact appearance should therefore be stated according to the actual commercial grade and Certificate of Analysis.
Quality-control testing may include:
Recommended storage considerations include:
Magnesium Laureth Sulfate is an anionic ethoxylated fatty alcohol sulfate used in suitable cleansing, foaming and personal-care formulations.
For commercial sourcing, buyers can evaluate:
When sourcing Magnesium Laureth Sulfate, buyers may consider:
For bulk procurement, the exact commercial grade should be confirmed before purchase.
Important procurement information may include:
Magnesium Laureth Sulfate is an anionic ethoxylated fatty alcohol sulfate surfactant used in suitable cosmetic and personal-care cleansing and foaming formulations.
The INCI name is Magnesium Laureth Sulfate.
It is an anionic ethoxylated fatty alcohol sulfate surfactant.
The laureth portion is derived from lauryl alcohol and contains ethoxylated units.
Yes. The "Laureth" portion represents an ethoxylated lauryl alcohol-derived structure.
Not necessarily. Commercial laureth sulfate materials can contain a distribution of ethoxylation levels, so the molecular formula and molecular weight depend on the specific composition.
Potential functions include cleansing, foaming, wetting and surface activity.
It can be evaluated for suitable rinse-off shampoo and hair-cleansing formulations.
Yes, it can be evaluated for suitable rinse-off body-cleansing formulations.
It can be evaluated for suitable rinse-off facial cleansing formulations.
No. Both are laureth sulfate surfactants, but Magnesium Laureth Sulfate uses magnesium as the counter-ion while Sodium Laureth Sulfate uses sodium.
No. Magnesium Laureth Sulfate is ethoxylated, while Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is a non-ethoxylated fatty alcohol sulfate.
Yes. It is used as a surfactant ingredient in suitable cosmetic and personal-care formulations.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Creamy white to pale yellow |