What Is Tea-Laneth-5 Sulfate?
Tea-Laneth-5 Sulfate is a surfactant made by combining lanolin alcohols with about five units of ethylene oxide, then turning the mixture into a sulfate salt with triethanolamine. The result is a water-soluble ingredient that keeps some of lanolin’s softening qualities while gaining the foaming power of sulfates.
Lanolin, the starting material, comes from the wool of sheep after shearing. Chemists began modifying lanolin in the mid-20th century to make it easier to use in creams and washes. Adding ethylene oxide chains made it milder and more mixable. Turning it into a TEA salt improved its stability in water-based formulas. By the late 1970s Tea-Laneth-5 Sulfate was showing up in gentle shampoos aimed at people who found sodium lauryl sulfate too harsh.
The manufacturing steps are straightforward: purify lanolin alcohols, react them with controlled amounts of ethylene oxide, neutralize the product with sulfur trioxide or chlorosulfonic acid to add the sulfate group, then adjust the pH with triethanolamine. The finished material is an amber liquid or paste that disperses easily in water.
You will most often see Tea-Laneth-5 Sulfate in shampoos, facial cleansers, body washes, bubble baths, makeup removers, moist wipes and some lightweight lotions where a touch of foam helps spread the product.
Tea-Laneth-5 Sulfate’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
In formulas this ingredient pulls triple duty, which makes it popular in multitasking products.
- Skin conditioning: The modified lanolin backbone leaves a thin soft film on the skin that reduces dryness and makes the surface feel smooth and supple.
- Cleansing: The sulfate portion lifts away oil, dirt and leftover makeup then rinses cleanly, helping products foam without stripping the skin.
- Emulsifying: Its mix of oil-loving and water-loving parts lets it hold oils and water together so creams stay stable and uniform during storage and use.
Who Can Use Tea-Laneth-5 Sulfate
Most skin types tolerate Tea-Laneth-5 Sulfate well. Its gentle foaming suits normal, oily and combination skin that likes a fresh cleanse without a squeaky-tight feel. Dry or very sensitive skin may find frequent use a bit dehydrating because it still acts like a sulfate surfactant, so pairing it with a richer moisturizer is wise. Anyone with a known lanolin allergy should steer clear since the molecule retains components of wool wax.
The ingredient is sourced from sheep wool so it is not suitable for vegans. Vegetarians who are comfortable with wool-derived materials may choose to use it but those following a strict animal-free routine will want a plant-based alternative.
No studies show specific risks to pregnant or breastfeeding women from topical use of Tea-Laneth-5 Sulfate. The molecule is large, water-soluble and unlikely to penetrate deeply into the skin. Still, this is not medical advice and anyone who is expecting or nursing should run any skincare they use past their doctor just to be safe.
The ingredient does not make skin more sensitive to sunlight and there are no known interactions with common sunscreen filters. It also plays well with most other cleansing agents, conditioning polymers and preservatives so formulators often blend it without issue.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Responses to Tea-Laneth-5 Sulfate differ from person to person. The effects listed below are only potential outcomes and are unlikely for most users when the ingredient is properly formulated and rinsed away.
- Temporary dryness or tightness after washing, especially on already dehydrated skin
- Redness, itching or burning in people sensitive to sulfates or lanolin derivatives
- Allergic contact dermatitis in rare cases of confirmed lanolin allergy
- Eye irritation if the cleanser is not kept out of the eye area
- Scalp flaking with overuse in very delicate scalps
If any irritation or discomfort develops stop using the product and consult a healthcare professional for further guidance.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 1 / 5
Tea-Laneth-5 Sulfate is highly water soluble and rinses off easily so it does not linger on the skin to block pores. While raw lanolin can be pore clogging, turning it into an ethoxylated sulfate salt strips away most of the oily components that cause problems. Because it is almost always used in wash off products, the contact time is short which further lowers the risk of breakouts.
People who are prone to acne usually tolerate this ingredient without issues.
Concentration, formula type and how thoroughly the product is rinsed can still influence outcomes but the odds of clogged pores remain low.
Summary
Tea-Laneth-5 Sulfate cleanses, conditions skin and helps oil mix with water in the same swipe. The lanolin backbone leaves a soft feel, the sulfate group breaks up dirt and oil while giving foam, and the ethoxylated part bridges oil and water so formulas stay smooth.
It pops up in gentle shampoos and face washes aimed at people who find classic sulfates too harsh yet is less common than newer plant based surfactants, so it is more of a niche workhorse than a headline star.
Overall safety is good with low irritation rates apart from those who have a lanolin allergy. As with any new skincare product, it is smart to do a quick patch test first just to be sure your skin agrees.