What Is Dea-Laureth Sulfate?
Dea-Laureth Sulfate is a cleaning agent made from lauryl alcohol, a fatty alcohol that typically comes from coconut or palm oil. Chemists react this alcohol with small units of ethylene oxide to attach a few “ethoxy” groups, then add sulfuric acid to create a sulfate. Finally the mixture is neutralized with diethanolamine, turning it into a salt that dissolves easily in water. The finished ingredient is known by its full chemical name, dodecanol ethoxylated sulfates bis(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium salts.
Surfactants like Dea-Laureth Sulfate became popular in the mid-20th century when the beauty industry began searching for gentler alternatives to traditional soap. Its ability to mix oil and water, create a rich foam and rinse away cleanly made it a staple in shampoos and body washes. Over time formulators also started using it in facial cleansers, bubble baths and hand soaps because it delivers that satisfying lather consumers expect.
In most products the ingredient appears at a concentration low enough to clean the skin or hair without leaving residue. You will often spot it on labels for shampoos, liquid hand soaps, facial cleansers, bubble baths, shower gels and even some makeup brush cleansers.
Dea-Laureth Sulfate’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
This ingredient plays more than one role in a formula, giving chemists flexibility when designing effective cleansers.
- Cleansing – As a surfactant it lifts dirt, oil and product buildup so they can be rinsed away, leaving skin or hair feeling fresh
- Foaming – It produces a dense stable lather that helps spread the product evenly and gives users a sensory cue that the product is working
Who Can Use Dea-Laureth Sulfate
Most people with normal, oily or combination skin can comfortably use products that contain Dea-Laureth Sulfate. Its cleansing power removes excess oil and buildup without usually leaving a heavy residue. Those with very dry or highly sensitive skin might find it a bit too strong because the surfactant can lift away some of the skin’s natural lipids, which could lead to tightness or mild irritation. If your skin barrier is already compromised or you have conditions like eczema it may be better to pick a milder cleanser.
The ingredient is considered suitable for vegans and vegetarians because the fatty alcohol starting material typically comes from plant sources such as coconut or palm oil and no animal-derived substances are used during manufacturing.
Pregnant or breastfeeding women are not known to have any specific risk from topical use of Dea-Laureth Sulfate at the levels found in cosmetic products. This is not medical advice and anyone who is pregnant or nursing should still run their full skincare routine past a qualified doctor to be on the safe side.
Dea-Laureth Sulfate does not cause photosensitivity so it will not make skin more prone to sunburn. It is also compatible with most other common skincare ingredients, though pairing it with very strong exfoliating acids or retinoids could increase dryness in some users.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Responses to topical Dea-Laureth Sulfate vary from person to person. The points below outline possible side effects that could occur, but they are not expected for the average user when a product has been formulated correctly.
- Dryness or tight feeling after rinsing
- Redness or stinging on sensitive or compromised skin
- Flakiness or itchiness on the scalp when used in shampoos
- Mild eye irritation if the product accidentally gets into the eyes
- Allergic contact dermatitis in rare cases
If you experience any of these effects stop using the product and seek advice from a healthcare professional.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 1/5
Dea-Laureth Sulfate is a rinse-off surfactant that breaks up oil and dirt then leaves the skin once you wash it away. Because it does not linger on the surface or build up inside pores it has a very low chance of clogging them. Formulas that use it rarely include the heavy oils or waxes that tend to cause breakouts so the overall risk remains small.
Suitable for acne-prone skin in most cases.
Keep in mind that if a product pairs this surfactant with thick plant butters or silicone films the clogging potential comes from those add-ons not from Dea-Laureth Sulfate itself.
Summary
Dea-Laureth Sulfate works as a cleanser and foaming agent, lifting away oil, sweat and product residue while creating the rich lather many people enjoy. It does this by surrounding grime with its water-loving and oil-loving ends so everything rinses off easily, leaving skin or hair feeling fresh.
The ingredient has been a go-to in shampoos, face washes and body cleansers for decades because it delivers reliable performance at a reasonable cost. Newer ultra-gentle surfactants have gained attention yet Dea-Laureth Sulfate still appears in many mainstream formulas you find on store shelves.
At the levels used in cosmetics safety assessments show it is generally well tolerated though very dry or sensitive skin might prefer a milder option. As with any skincare ingredient do a quick patch test the first time you try a product to make sure it plays nicely with your skin.