What Is Tea-C12-13 Pareth-3 Sulfate?
Tea-C12-13 Pareth-3 Sulfate is a synthetic surfactant made by reacting fatty alcohols derived from coconut or palm oil with ethylene oxide, then treating the resulting ethoxylated alcohols with sulfur trioxide to add a sulfate group. Finally, triethanolamine is added to neutralize the mixture and create a salt that dissolves easily in water. First introduced in the late twentieth century as formulators searched for milder and more versatile cleansing agents, it quickly found a home in personal care due to its balanced cleaning power and skin feel. You will see it listed on ingredient labels of facial cleansers, body washes, shampoos, bubble baths, makeup removers and occasionally in exfoliating masks where a gentle foaming action is needed.
Tea-C12-13 Pareth-3 Sulfate’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
This ingredient delivers two key benefits that make it valuable in everyday formulas.
- Cleansing: Its surfactant nature helps loosen and lift away dirt, oil and product buildup so they can be rinsed off easily, leaving skin or hair feeling fresh without a heavy residue.
- Emulsifying: It keeps oil-based and water-based ingredients evenly mixed, ensuring a stable product that looks uniform and performs the same from the first use to the last.
Who Can Use Tea-C12-13 Pareth-3 Sulfate
This surfactant works for most skin and hair types, including normal, combination and oily, because it lifts excess sebum without leaving a heavy film. People with very dry or highly reactive skin may find any sulfate a bit too efficient at removing natural oils, which could lead to tightness or mild irritation if the formula is not well balanced with moisturizers. Those concerns lessen when the ingredient is used at low concentrations in gentle cleansers rather than strong detergents.
Tea-C12-13 Pareth-3 Sulfate is generally suitable for vegans and vegetarians since the fatty alcohols come from plant sources like coconut or palm and the remaining steps are fully synthetic. Always confirm the finished product was not tested on animals if that is important to you.
No specific restrictions exist for use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding when the ingredient appears in rinse-off products such as shampoos or body washes. This is not medical advice and anyone expecting or nursing should discuss all personal care items with a healthcare provider to be safe.
The ingredient does not make skin more sensitive to sunlight, so it is not considered photosensitising. It is also free of added fragrance and dyes on its own, which can be helpful for those trying to avoid extra irritants.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Reactions to topical Tea-C12-13 Pareth-3 Sulfate vary from person to person. The points below outline potential side effects, though most users will not encounter them when the ingredient is properly formulated and used as directed.
- Skin dryness or tightness if the surrounding formula lacks enough conditioning agents
- Mild redness, itching or stinging in individuals with very sensitive or compromised skin barriers
- Eye irritation if the product accidentally gets into the eyes before rinsing
- Allergic contact dermatitis in rare cases of individual sensitivity to ethoxylated sulfates
- In color-treated hair, possible fading over time if the cleanser is overly strong or used frequently
If any discomfort, persistent redness or other adverse reaction occurs stop using the product and consult a medical professional.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 1/5 – Tea-C12-13 Pareth-3 Sulfate is a water-soluble surfactant that rinses away fully and does not leave an oily or waxy film that could clog pores. Its molecules are designed to lift oils rather than deposit them, so any residue left behind is minimal. Formulas that use it typically wash off in seconds, further reducing pore-clogging risk. For these reasons it sits at the very low end of the comedogenic scale.
Suitable for acne-prone or breakout-prone skin in most rinse-off products.
Only when combined with heavier occlusive ingredients or left on the skin for extended periods could the comedogenic risk rise, so pay attention to the overall formula type.
Summary
Tea-C12-13 Pareth-3 Sulfate works primarily as a cleanser and emulsifier. Its surfactant structure has both water-loving and oil-loving parts which let it grab onto dirt and oils, suspend them in water and carry them down the drain. The same dual nature also helps keep oil and water phases mixed so your shampoo or face wash stays uniform from bottle top to bottom.
It is a fairly common pick in modern personal care, showing up in many mid-priced and mass-market formulas that aim for gentle yet effective cleansing without a high price tag. While not as famous as sodium laureth sulfate, it is well regarded among formulators looking for milder sulfate options.
Overall safety is considered high in rinse-off products when used at typical levels. Irritation is uncommon and serious reactions are rare. As with any new skincare or haircare item it is wise to do a small patch test first to confirm personal tolerance.