TEA-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate

What Is It?

Ammonium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Calcium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, DEA-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Isopropylamine Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Magnesium Isododecylbenzenesulfonate, MIPA-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Potassium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Sodium Decylbenzenesulfonate, Sodium Dodecylbenzensulfonate, Sodium Tridecylbenzenesulfonate, TEA-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate and TEA-Tridecylbenzenesulfonate are substituted aromatic compounds. In cosmetics and personal care products, these ingredients function as surfactants in bath products, cleansing products, shampoos and hair conditioners, improving their ability to wet the skin and hair.

Why Is It Used?

Ammonium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Calcium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, DEA-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Isopropylamine Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Magnesium Isododecylbenzenesulfonate, MIPA-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Potassium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Sodium Decylbenzenesulfonate, Sodium Dodecylbenzensulfonate, Sodium Tridecylbenzenesulfonate, TEA-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate and TEA-Tridecylbenzenesulfonate cleanse skin and hair by helping water to mix with oil and dirt so that they can be rinsed away.

Scientific Facts

These ingredients are linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS). Linear alkylbenzenesulfonate surfactants are soluble and effective at low concentrations.

Safety Information

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) includes Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate on its list of secondary direct food additives. It is allowed to be used to assist in the peeling of fruits and vegetables. The FDA permits the salts of n-alkylbenzenesulfonic acid (including Ammonium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Calcium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Magnesium Isododecylbenzenesulfonate, Potassium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Sodium Decylbenzenesulfonate, Sodium Dodecylbenzensulfonate and Sodium Tridecylbenzenesulfonate) to be used as indirect food additives as emulsifiers and/or surface active agents as components of non-food articles. The safety of Ammonium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Calcium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, DEA-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Isopropylamine Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Magnesium Isododecylbenzenesulfonate, MIPA-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Potassium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Sodium Decylbenzenesulfonate, Sodium Dodecylbenzensulfonate, Sodium Tridecylbenzenesulfonate, TEA-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate and TEA-Tridecylbenzenesulfonate has been assessed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel. The CIR Expert Panel evaluated the scientific data and concluded that these ingredients were safe as ingredients in cosmetics and personal care products in the present practices of use when formulated to be non-irritating.

CIR Safety Review:

Linear alkylbenzenesulfonate was not a reproductive toxicant following dermal exposure. Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate was not genotoxic or a carcinogen. Depending on the conditions, including concentration and formulation the linear alkylbenzenesulfonates including Ammonium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Calcium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, DEA-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Isopropylamine Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Magnesium Isododecylbenzenesulfonate, MIPA-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Potassium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Sodium Decylbenzenesulfonate, Sodium Dodecylbenzensulfonate, Sodium Tridecylbenzenesulfonate, TEA-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate and TEA-Tridecylbenzenesulfonate can be irritating to the skin.

The irritant properties of these ingredients are similar to those of other detergents, with the severity of irritation dependent on the concentration and pH of the product. Base on the potential of these ingredients to be irritating, the CIR Expert Panel concluded that Ammonium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Calcium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, DEA-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Isopropylamine Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Magnesium Isododecylbenzenesulfonate, MIPA-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Potassium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Sodium Decylbenzenesulfonate, Sodium Dodecylbenzensulfonate, Sodium Tridecylbenzenesulfonate, TEA-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate and TEA-Tridecylbenzenesulfonate were safe as ingredients in cosmetics and personal care products in the present practices of use when formulated to be non-irritating.

FDA Code of Federal Regulations for Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate

FDA Code of Federal Regulations for n-alkylbenzenesulfonic acid and its salts

Ammonium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Calcium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Isopropylamine Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Magnesium Isododecylbenzenesulfonate, Potassium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Sodium Decylbenzenesulfonate, Sodium Dodecylbenzensulfonate and Sodium Tridecylbenzenesulfonate 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. MIPA-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate may be used in cosmetic products in Europe if the level of secondary amine in the ingredient is less than 0.5% (see Annex III). In Europe, the level of TEA in products is limited to 2.5% when TEA or TEA salts, such as TEA-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate or TEA-Tridecylbenzenesulfonate are added to a product (see Annex III). Ingredients containing diethanolamine (DEA) such as DEA-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate are not permitted for use in cosmetic products in Europe (see Annex II).

EU Cosmetic Regulation

More Scientific Information

Linear alkylbenzenesulfonate surfactants are frequently sold as solutions that contain 30% to 50% active compound. The percentage activity is defined as the solids minus water and the salt.

Resources

Find out more about the regulation of Food Additives by the Food and Drug Administration