Potassium Lauryl Sulfate is an anionic surfactant used in cosmetic and personal-care formulations for cleansing, foaming and wetting applications. It is the potassium salt of lauryl sulfuric acid and contains a C12 hydrophobic alkyl chain together with a sulfate-based hydrophilic group.
Potassium Lauryl Sulfate is structurally related to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, but the counter-ion is potassium rather than sodium. This difference can influence physical properties such as solubility, handling and formulation behavior.
The ingredient can be considered for rinse-off formulations including shampoos, cleansing products, body washes, shower products, liquid cleansing systems and other personal-care formulations where an anionic surfactant is required.
Potassium Lauryl Sulfate is an anionic alkyl sulfate surfactant. Its amphiphilic structure allows it to interact with water and oily materials and contribute to the removal and dispersion of impurities.
The molecule contains a lauryl hydrocarbon chain attached to a sulfate group, with potassium acting as the counter-ion.
Potassium Lauryl Sulfate has the molecular formula C12H25KO4S and a molecular weight of approximately 304.49 g/mol.
Potassium Lauryl Sulfate contains a hydrophobic lauryl chain and a hydrophilic sulfate group. This amphiphilic structure allows the ingredient to participate in surface-active processes and micelle formation.
Potential formulation functions include:
Potassium Lauryl Sulfate can assist in cleansing by facilitating the interaction between water and oily or particulate materials.
Potential cleansing applications include:
The final cleansing performance depends on the complete formulation, surfactant concentration, pH, water quality and combination with other surfactants.
Potassium Lauryl Sulfate can contribute to foam formation in suitable cosmetic formulations.
Potential applications include:
Foam characteristics depend on surfactant concentration, formulation composition, water quality, temperature, pH and the presence of co-surfactants.
Potassium Lauryl Sulfate can be evaluated as a cleansing surfactant in shampoo formulations.
Potential applications include:
It may be combined with amphoteric or nonionic surfactants to modify cleansing, foam, viscosity and sensory properties.
Potassium Lauryl Sulfate may be used in selected facial cleansing formulations.
Potential applications include:
The finished formulation should be evaluated for pH, cleansing performance, sensory properties and skin compatibility.
Potassium Lauryl Sulfate can be used in suitable body-cleansing formulations.
Potential applications include:
Potassium Lauryl Sulfate can be incorporated into selected liquid cleansing systems.
It may be combined with other surfactants, humectants, viscosity modifiers, fragrances and functional ingredients according to the intended product.
Potential personal-care applications include:
Potassium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate are closely related anionic alkyl sulfate surfactants.
The primary structural difference is the counter-ion:
This difference can affect properties such as salt behavior, solubility, physical form and formulation handling.
They should therefore be treated as separate raw materials and evaluated according to their individual specifications.
Important parameters to evaluate include:
The exact acceptance criteria should be based on the selected commercial grade.
Typical formulation-development considerations include:
Actual processing conditions should be established according to the physical form and commercial grade.
Potassium Lauryl Sulfate is an anionic surfactant suitable for selected cosmetic and personal-care cleansing formulations.
For commercial procurement, buyers can evaluate:
When sourcing Potassium Lauryl Sulfate, important procurement parameters may include:
For bulk procurement, the required grade and technical specification should be confirmed before purchase.
Important parameters include:
Potassium Lauryl Sulfate is an anionic alkyl sulfate surfactant used primarily for cleansing and foaming in suitable cosmetic and personal-care formulations.
The INCI name is Potassium Lauryl Sulfate.
The CAS number is 4706-78-9.
The molecular formula is C12H25KO4S.
The molecular weight is approximately 304.49 g/mol.
It is an anionic alkyl sulfate surfactant.
Its main functions are cleansing and foaming, with broader surfactant and wetting properties.
Yes. It can be evaluated as a cleansing surfactant in suitable shampoo formulations.
Yes. It can be used in selected facial cleansing formulations.
Yes. It can be used in suitable body washes and other rinse-off cleansing products.
No. They are different salts of the lauryl sulfate surfactant structure. Potassium Lauryl Sulfate contains potassium as the counter-ion, while Sodium Lauryl Sulfate contains sodium.
No. Potassium Lauryl Sulfate is a defined potassium salt of lauryl sulfate, while Sodium Coco Sulfate is a mixture of sodium salts of sulfated fatty alcohols.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Creamy white to pale yellow |