Details
A versatile and biodegradable cleansing agent with high cleaning power and strong foaming properties. Unfortunately, these two properties for a surfactant usually mean that it is harsh on the skin, which is the case here as well.
Show me some proof
- Nair, Bindu. "Final report on the safety assessment of Sodium Alpha-Olefin Sulfonates." International Journal of Toxicology 17.5_suppl (1998): 39-65.
Products with Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
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What Is It?
Sodium Alpha-Olefin Sulfonates (Sodium C12-14 Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium C14-18 Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium C16-18 Olefin Sulfonate) are mixtures of long chain sulfonate salts prepared by the sulfonation of alpha olefins. The numbers indicate the average lengths of the carbon chains of the alpha olefins. In cosmetics and personal care products, Sodium Alpha-Olefin Sulfonates are used mainly in shampoos and bath and shower products
Why is it used in cosmetics and personal care products?
Sodium Alpha-Olefin Sulfonates clean the skin and hair by helping water to mix with oil and dirt so that they can be rinsed away.
Scientific Facts:
Alpha-Olefin Sulfonates and their salts can be produced from the cracking of paraffin wax. However, for large-scale production of Sodium Alpha-Olefin Sulfonates, synthesis usually occurs via the cracking of petroleum.
Safety Information:
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviewed the safety of Alpha-Olefin Sulfonates and approved the use of ammonium, calcium magnesium, potassium and sodium salts of these ingredients (C10-18, with not less than 50% as C14-16)as indirect food additives as components of adhesives and as emulsifiers and/or surface-active agents. The safety of Sodium Alpha-Olefin Sulfonates has been assessed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review
More safety Information:
CIR Safety Review: The CIR Expert Panel noted that Sodium Alpha-Olefin Sulfonates are poorly absorbed through normal skin, but are significantly absorbed through damaged skin. Short-term toxicity studies showed no consistent effects, even with exposures in the 0.5-1.0 g/kg range. Concentrations above 10% produced moderate ocular irritation and a concentration of 5% produced mild ocular irritation. In reproductive and developmental toxicity studies, fetal abnormalities were noted, but only at doses that were maternally toxic.
Genotoxicity data were mostly negative and oral and dermal carcinogenicity studies were negative. Various studies found irritation and sensitization. Sensitization was attributed to low level gamma sultone residues. Because gamma sultones were sensitizers at very low levels, it was concluded that any product containing Sodium Alpha-Olefin Sulfonates should have very little gamma sultone residues.
The gamma sultone levels should not exceed 10 ppm for saturated (alkane) sultones, 1 ppm for chlorosultones, and 0.1 ppm for unsaturated sultones. Sodium Alpha-Olefin Sulfonates are otherwise considered safe for use in rinse-off products. Based on concerns about irritation, the use of Sodium Alpha-Olefin Sulfonates in leave-on products, was limited to 2%.
Link to FDA Code of Federal Regulations for Alpha Olefin Sulfonate, Ammonium, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, and Sodium salts
- //www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr…
- //www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr…
Sodium Alpha-Olefin Sulfonates may be used in cosmetics and personal care products marketed in Europe according to the general provisions of the Cosmetics Regulation of the European Union
Link to the EU Cosmetic Regulation:
//europa.eu/legislation_summaries/consumers/product_labelling_and_p…
More Scientific Information:
The Sodium Alpha-Olefin Sulfonates are mixtures consisting primarily of sodium hydroxyalkane sulfonates and sodium alkene sulfonates. In cosmetics and personal care products, these ingredients function as surfactants – cleansing agents.