Sodium Cetyl Sulfate is an anionic fatty alcohol sulfate surfactant used in cosmetic and personal-care formulations for cleansing, foaming, wetting and emulsifying applications. It is also known as Sodium Hexadecyl Sulfate and Cetyl Sodium Sulfate.
Sodium Cetyl Sulfate is derived from cetyl alcohol, which contains a characteristic 16-carbon saturated hydrocarbon chain. The sulfate group provides the hydrophilic portion of the molecule, while the long hydrocarbon chain provides the lipophilic portion. This amphiphilic structure gives Sodium Cetyl Sulfate its surface-active properties.
As an anionic surfactant, Sodium Cetyl Sulfate can reduce surface and interfacial tension and participate in the formation of micellar systems. These characteristics make it useful for cosmetic formulations requiring cleansing, foaming and surfactant functionality.
Sodium Cetyl Sulfate is the sodium salt of cetyl sulfate and belongs to the fatty alcohol sulfate family. The characteristic cetyl or hexadecyl chain contains 16 carbon atoms and is saturated.
Its chemical identity is commonly represented as sodium hexadecyl sulfate. The primary CAS number is 1120-01-0, with molecular formula C16H33NaO4S and molecular weight 344.49 g/mol.
The ingredient is different from Sodium Stearyl Sulfate, which contains an 18-carbon saturated chain. It is also different from Sodium Oleyl Sulfate, which has an 18-carbon unsaturated chain.
Sodium Cetyl Sulfate contains a hydrophobic hexadecyl chain and a hydrophilic sulfate group associated with sodium. Its amphiphilic molecular structure enables surface-active behavior in aqueous systems.
Sodium Cetyl Sulfate contains three important structural components:
The C16 hydrocarbon chain provides lipophilic character, while the sulfate group provides hydrophilic and ionic character.
This combination produces an amphiphilic molecule capable of interacting with both aqueous and oily materials.
Sodium Cetyl Sulfate is an anionic surfactant.
Anionic surfactants have negatively charged hydrophilic groups and are widely used in cleansing and foaming formulations. Their amphiphilic molecular structure enables them to concentrate at interfaces and assist in the dispersion and removal of oily or particulate materials.
Potential formulation functions include:
Sodium Cetyl Sulfate is recognized as a cleansing ingredient in cosmetic applications.
Its surfactant structure allows it to interact with oily materials and water, supporting their dispersion during the washing process.
Potential applications include:
The final cleansing performance depends on the complete formulation, concentration, pH, surfactant combination and processing conditions.
Sodium Cetyl Sulfate can contribute to foam formation in suitable aqueous systems.
Foam formation can be affected by:
Potential applications include:
Sodium Cetyl Sulfate can function as a surface-active cleansing ingredient.
Its hydrophobic chain can interact with oily materials while the sulfate-containing portion interacts with water. This amphiphilic behavior supports the cleansing mechanism of surfactant-based formulations.
Sodium Cetyl Sulfate is also recognized for surfactant-emulsifying functionality.
Surfactants can help facilitate the dispersion of otherwise poorly miscible phases. Sodium Cetyl Sulfate can therefore be evaluated in formulation systems where surface-active and emulsifying properties are required.
The actual emulsification performance depends on the complete formulation and should be confirmed through formulation testing.
Sodium Cetyl Sulfate can be evaluated as an anionic surfactant in selected shampoo formulations.
Potential applications include:
It may be combined with compatible surfactants, conditioning agents, viscosity modifiers and other formulation ingredients according to the required product characteristics.
Important development parameters include:
Sodium Cetyl Sulfate can be considered for selected rinse-off facial cleansing formulations.
Potential applications include:
The complete formulation should be evaluated for pH, cleansing performance, foam, sensory characteristics and overall formulation compatibility.
Sodium Cetyl Sulfate can be considered for suitable body-cleansing systems.
Potential applications include:
Potential cosmetic and personal-care applications include:
Both are saturated fatty alcohol sulfate surfactants.
| Parameter | Sodium Cetyl Sulfate | Sodium Stearyl Sulfate |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon Chain | C16 | C18 |
| Chain Type | Saturated | Saturated |
| Counter-Ion | Sodium | Sodium |
| Surfactant Type | Anionic | Anionic |
| Fatty Alcohol Origin | Cetyl Alcohol | Stearyl Alcohol |
The main structural difference is the carbon-chain length.
| Parameter | Sodium Cetyl Sulfate | Sodium Oleyl Sulfate |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon Chain | C16 | C18 |
| Chain Type | Saturated | Unsaturated |
| Characteristic Double Bond | No | Yes |
| Counter-Ion | Sodium | Sodium |
| Surfactant Type | Anionic | Anionic |
These differences should be considered when selecting a surfactant for a particular formulation.
When evaluating Sodium Cetyl Sulfate, formulators may consider:
The appropriate acceptance criteria should be based on the specification of the actual commercial grade.
A general formulation-development approach may include:
Actual processing parameters should be established according to the physical form and technical specification of the selected grade.
Sodium Cetyl Sulfate is reported as soluble in water, although solubility and solution behavior can depend on concentration, temperature, water composition and the exact commercial grade.
For formulation development, solubility should be evaluated under the actual processing conditions rather than relying solely on a general literature value.
Commercial Sodium Cetyl Sulfate can be supplied in different physical forms depending on grade and composition.
A commonly reported appearance is:
White to off-white powder or solid.
Some commercial materials may have different physical characteristics depending on purity, moisture, particle size and the presence of related fatty alcohol sulfates.
Quality-control testing may include:
Recommended storage considerations include:
Sodium Cetyl Sulfate is an anionic fatty alcohol sulfate suitable for selected cosmetic and personal-care formulations.
For commercial sourcing, manufacturers and formulators can evaluate:
When sourcing Sodium Cetyl Sulfate, buyers may consider:
For bulk procurement, the required specification should be confirmed before commercial supply.
Important procurement information may include:
Sodium Cetyl Sulfate is an anionic fatty alcohol sulfate surfactant used in cosmetic formulations for cleansing, foaming and surfactant applications.
The INCI name is Sodium Cetyl Sulfate.
The CAS number is 1120-01-0.
The molecular formula is C16H33NaO4S.
The molecular weight is 344.49 g/mol.
It is an anionic fatty alcohol sulfate surfactant.
The characteristic cetyl chain contains 16 carbon atoms.
Yes. The characteristic cetyl/hexadecyl chain is saturated.
The documented cosmetic functions include:
It can be evaluated for suitable shampoo and rinse-off hair-cleansing formulations.
It can be considered for suitable rinse-off facial cleansing formulations.
It can be considered for suitable rinse-off body-cleansing formulations.
No. Sodium Cetyl Sulfate has a C16 chain, while Sodium Stearyl Sulfate has a C18 chain.
No. Sodium Cetyl Sulfate has a saturated C16 chain, while Sodium Oleyl Sulfate has an unsaturated C18 chain.
No. Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate is a mixture of sodium cetyl sulfate and sodium stearyl sulfate, whereas Sodium Cetyl Sulfate refers to the C16 sulfate component.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Creamy white to pale yellow |