
Sodium lauryl ether sulphate is a widely used surfactant in various industries. It's a key ingredient in many personal care products, such as shampoos and body washes.
The production of sodium lauryl ether sulphate involves the reaction of lauryl alcohol with sulfuric acid and ethylene oxide. This process creates a mixture of sodium lauryl ether sulphate and its derivatives.
Sodium lauryl ether sulphate is a versatile ingredient with numerous applications. It's used as a foaming agent in personal care products, a cleaning agent in industrial applications, and a wetting agent in pharmaceuticals.
In terms of specifications, sodium lauryl ether sulphate typically has a molecular weight of around 288-300 g/mol. Its pH level can range from 5.5 to 7.5, depending on the specific product formulation.
Consider reading: Sodium Lauryl Sulphate Soap
What is Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulphate
Sodium lauryl ether sulphate, or SLES, is an anionic surfactant widely used in rinse-off products as a primary surfactant. It's excellent at detergency, emulsification, and foamability.
SLES is a very effective foaming agent and an anionic detergent and surfactant found in many personal care products, such as soaps, shampoos, and toothpaste. This makes it a popular choice for its cleansing and emulsifying properties.
SLES is also used in wetting agent formulations, liquid detergents, cleaners, shampoos, and laundry detergents. It's a surfactant that dissolves readily in hard and soft water and provides a consistent foam character.
SLES is an inexpensive and very effective foaming agent. It behaves similarly to soap and is widely used as a foaming agent and wetting agent.
Here are some key characteristics of SLES:
- Appearance: Almost colorless clear viscous liquid
- %Active matter: 27-29
- %Sodium Chloride: 1 Max.
- %Sodium Sulphate: 1.5 Max
- %Unsulphated Alcohol: 1.5 Max.
- PH: 6.5 to 7.5 (in 5% aqueous solution in distilled water)
- Viscosity at 28 C: 1000 to 6000 (cP)
- Cloud Point: Clear at 0°C
Properties and Characteristics
Sodium lauryl ether sulphate is a versatile ingredient with some impressive properties.
It's hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs moisture from the air, so it's best stored in a refrigerator under an inert atmosphere. This property also makes it slightly soluble in water.
The product has good solvency, which is essential for its ability to effectively clean and emulsify. Its favorable hard-water resistance ensures it works well in a variety of conditions.
Here are some key properties of sodium lauryl ether sulphate:
It's also worth noting that sodium lauryl ether sulphate has excellent solubility and compatibility with other surfactants, making it a great choice for formulating a wide range of products.
Physical Properties
Sodium lauryl ether sulfate is a gel-like substance that's hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs moisture from the air. This property requires it to be stored in a refrigerator under an inert atmosphere to maintain its stability.
The substance is slightly soluble in water, but it can be dissolved in chloroform and methanol, albeit sparingly. This limited solubility might affect its use in certain applications.
In its gel form, sodium lauryl ether sulfate is colourless to off-white, which is a characteristic property that can be observed visually. The exact shade may vary depending on the specific formulation.
This substance is hygroscopic, which can affect its stability and performance. It's essential to consider this property when handling or storing sodium lauryl ether sulfate.
Here are some key physical properties of sodium lauryl ether sulfate at a glance:
Features & Benefits

One of the standout features of Sodium Lauryl Sulphate is its excellent solubility and compatibility with other surfactants, making it a great choice for formulating a wide range of products.
Its mild and low irritation properties make it perfect for formulating skin-touch products like Shampoo, Body Lotion, Facial Cleanser, and Hand Soap Liquid.
Sodium Lauryl Sulphate has significant foaming, emulsifying, and cleansing ability, making it a valuable ingredient in many personal care products.
It also has a good hard water resistant property, which is a major advantage in areas with hard water.
Here are some of the key benefits of Sodium Lauryl Sulphate:
It's also worth noting that Sodium Lauryl Sulphate is made from natural coconut extract and has an excellent degradation rate of up to 92%, making it an eco-friendly option.
Production and Manufacturing
Sodium lauryl ether sulphate is produced through a multi-step process involving sulfation and neutralization. The sulfation step occurs at a temperature of 25-30°C under a vacuum for about 2.5 hours.
The sulfation reaction is carried out in a glass-lined reactor with chlorosulfonic acid being gradually added to the lauryl ethoxylate. A by-product of the reaction is gaseous HCl.
The sulfation product is then fed to a neutralization vessel where it is contacted with a 50 wt% caustic soda solution to adjust its active component. This step is carried out below 45°C.
The resulting product is a 70 wt% sodium lauryl ether sulfate. Yeser Chemicals, a leading manufacturer of SLES, uses a state-of-the-art production process to produce this product.
The company has a production capacity of 10,000 MT per month and can supply top-quality SLES 70% at a competitive price. The 70% grade is the most commonly used globally due to its higher concentration and cost-effectiveness for transportation.
The production process involves multiple steps, including sulfation, neutralization, and scrubbing. The scrubbing step involves absorbing the HCl by-product in process water to generate a 33 wt% hydrochloric acid solution.
Yeser Chemicals offers three packaging options for SLES: 170 kg drum packing, 220 kg drum packing, and 1000KG IBC tank packing.
Here's an interesting read: Toothpaste Containing Sodium Lauryl Sulphate
Uses and Applications
Sodium lauryl ether sulphate is a versatile ingredient with a wide range of uses.
It's perfect for formulating skin-touch products like shampoo, body lotion, facial cleanser, and hand soap liquid due to its mild and low irritation properties.
You can also use it to make effective lip balms that hydrate and moisturize dry, chapped lips.
Its significant foaming, emulsifying, and cleansing ability make it a great choice for bubble bath products that clean, degrease, and hydrate the skin.
Sodium lauryl ether sulphate is also suitable for all skin types, making it a great option for face cleansers that treat chapped, flaky, dry, and dehydrated skin.
It's worth noting that it's made from natural coconut extract, with an excellent degradation rate of up to 92%.
Here are some specific product ideas that utilize sodium lauryl ether sulphate:
- Lip balms
- Hair styling gels
- Bubble bath products
- Face cleansers
- Shampoo
- Body lotion
- Hand soap liquid
Safety and Precautions
Sodium lauryl ether sulfate can irritate eyes, skin, and lungs, especially with long-term use.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified ethylene oxide, a contaminant of sodium lauryl ether sulfate, as a known human carcinogen.
Sodium lauryl ether sulfate may be contaminated with measurable amounts of ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane, which is a possible human carcinogen and can also harm the nervous system.
1,4-dioxane is a persistent substance that doesn't easily degrade and can remain in the environment long after it's rinsed down the shower drain.
It's worth noting that there is no easy way for consumers to know whether products containing sodium lauryl ether sulfate have undergone vacuum stripping, a process that can remove 1,4-dioxane from cosmetics during manufacturing.
Side Effects
Sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) can irritate eyes, skin, and lungs, especially with long-term use.
It's worth noting that some people may be more sensitive to these irritations than others.
SLES may also be contaminated with a substance called 1,4-dioxane, which is known to cause cancer in laboratory animals.
This contamination occurs during the manufacturing process, and it's not always easy to tell if a product has been affected.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified ethylene oxide, another potential contaminant of SLES, as a known human carcinogen.
This means that prolonged exposure to SLES may pose a risk to human health, particularly in people who use it regularly.
Recommended Dosage:

The recommended dosage of Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate in detergents, personal care products, and cosmetics is 5.0%-18.0%. This range is crucial to ensure the product's effectiveness while minimizing potential risks.
In general, following the recommended dosage guidelines is essential for safe usage.
Specifications and Trade Information
Sodium lauryl ether sulphate is a widely used ingredient in various industries, including cosmetics and personal care products. It's a surfactant that behaves similarly to soap and is used for its cleansing and emulsifying properties.
The physical form of sodium lauryl ether sulphate is typically a liquid, which makes it easy to mix with other ingredients. It has a characteristic odor and a specific gravity of 1.05.
In terms of trade information, suppliers can offer payment terms such as cheque, cash in advance, or bank transfer. The delivery time can range from immediate to 1 day, depending on the supplier.
Here are some key specifications of sodium lauryl ether sulphate:
- PH Level: 6.5 to 7.5
- Physical Form: Liquid
- Usage: Industrial Use
- Appearance: Almost colorless clear viscous liquid
- %Active matter: 27-29
- Viscosity at 28 C: 1000 to 6000 cps
The purity of sodium lauryl ether sulphate can range from 68% to 72%, depending on the supplier. It's widely used in manufacturing shampoo, fire fighting foams, and wetting agents in the textile industry.
Latest Manufacturer Prices

The latest manufacturer prices for Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate (SLES) vary greatly depending on the supplier and the purity of the product. The prices range from US $0.00 per KG to US $1.00 per g.
One company, Jinan Finer Chemical Co., Ltd, offers SLES at a price of US $0.00 per KG with a purity of 70±2%. This is a very competitive price for a high-quality product.
Another supplier, WUHAN FORTUNA CHEMICAL CO., LTD, offers SLES at a price of US $0.00 per KG with a purity of 68%-72%. This is a good option for those who need a slightly lower purity product.
RongNa Biotechnology Co.,Ltd offers SLES at a price of US $1.00 per g with a purity of 0.99. This is a very high price for a small quantity of product.
Here is a summary of the latest manufacturer prices for SLES:
Trade Information
Trade Information is a crucial aspect of any business transaction. Payment terms can vary greatly depending on the supplier, but some common options include Cheque, Cash in Advance (CID), and Cash Advance (CA).

When dealing with large quantities, it's essential to know the supplier's supply ability. In the case of Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulphate, the supplier can provide up to 100 Kilograms Per Day.
Delivery time is another critical factor to consider. For Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulphate, delivery can be as quick as 1 Day.
If you're looking to purchase Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulphate, you'll want to know where the main domestic market is. In this case, the main domestic market for Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulphate is All India.
Price and Quantity
When looking at the trade information, it's clear that payment terms are flexible, allowing for cheque, cash in advance, and cash advance options.
Payment terms can vary depending on the supplier, but in this case, we see that cheque, cash in advance, and cash advance are all accepted.
The supply ability is quite impressive, with one supplier offering 100 kilograms per day.
This is significantly higher than another supplier who offers 500 kilograms per month.

Delivery time is also an important factor, with one supplier offering delivery within 1 day.
However, another supplier does not specify a delivery time.
The main domestic market for Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulphate is all of India, according to the trade information.
Here's a list of suppliers and their corresponding supply abilities:
- Jinan Finer Chemical Co., Ltd: 9000mt
- WUHAN FORTUNA CHEMICAL CO., LTD: 500kg/month
- RongNa Biotechnology Co.,Ltd: 20 tons
Stability/Shelf Life:
Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate is stable, but it's also combustible, so handle it with care.
Store Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate in a cool, dry, and dark place to maintain its quality.
The shelf life of Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate is 24 months when stored properly.
Also Known As:
Sodium lauryl ether sulphate is also known as SLES, a name you might see on product labels.
It's also referred to as sodium laureth sulfate in some countries.
This ingredient is often confused with sodium lauryl sulfate, but they're not exactly the same thing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate the same as sodium lauryl sulfate?
No, Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate (SLES) is a milder alternative to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS). SLES is often used in shampoos for its gentle foaming properties.
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