What Is Potassium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate?
Potassium dodecylbenzenesulfonate is a salt formed when dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid reacts with potassium hydroxide. The result is a white to off white powder or a clear liquid when dissolved in water. It belongs to a larger family of ingredients called sulfonates, which are valued for their ability to mix oil and water. Originally developed for industrial cleaners in the mid-20th century, the cosmetic industry soon noticed its gentle yet effective cleansing talent and adapted it for personal care formulas.
Manufacturers create it through sulfonation, where dodecylbenzene is treated with sulfur trioxide to add the sulfonic acid group. Neutralizing this acid with potassium hydroxide finishes the process and produces the water-soluble salt used in cosmetics. Because the raw materials are plentiful and the process is straightforward, the ingredient is both reliable and cost-effective.
You will most often see potassium dodecylbenzenesulfonate in face and body washes, shampoos, bubble baths, micellar waters, makeup removers and sometimes in exfoliating masks where a stable lather is needed to lift away dirt and excess oil.
Potassium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
This ingredient plays a single, focused role in beauty products.
As a cleansing agent it lowers the surface tension of water so it can spread and soak into oil, dirt and makeup. This action helps loosen and suspend impurities, allowing them to rinse away easily. The result is skin or hair that feels clean without a heavy residue, which makes it popular in formulas that promise a fresh light finish.
Who Can Use Potassium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate
Products containing potassium dodecylbenzenesulfonate suit most normal, oily and combination skin because the ingredient excels at lifting excess sebum without leaving residue. People with very dry or highly reactive skin may find frequent use a little stripping since the surfactant can remove some of the skin’s natural lipids, so formulas aimed at those skin types usually pair it with milder cleansers and moisturizers to offset possible dryness.
The ingredient is synthesized from petroleum-derived feedstocks and minerals, not animal sources, so it is considered suitable for vegans and vegetarians.
No research indicates that topical exposure poses special risks during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Still, this is not medical advice and anyone who is pregnant or nursing should run all personal care products past a qualified healthcare provider to be on the safe side.
Potassium dodecylbenzenesulfonate does not make skin more sensitive to sunlight and has no known photosensitizing properties.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Reactions to topical potassium dodecylbenzenesulfonate vary between individuals. The points below list potential side effects only; most users experience none of these when the ingredient is used at cosmetic levels in well-formulated products.
- Dryness or tight feeling
- Redness or stinging on very sensitive skin
- Mild eye irritation if the product accidentally gets into the eyes
- Allergic contact dermatitis in rare cases
- Increased color fading in dyed hair when used in shampoos formulated without protective agents
If you experience any discomfort or an unexpected reaction stop using the product and seek advice from a healthcare professional or dermatologist.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 0 / 5 (non-comedogenic)
Potassium dodecylbenzenesulfonate is a water-soluble cleansing salt that does not leave an oily or waxy film on skin. Because it rinses away completely it has little chance of blocking pores, so it earns the lowest possible comedogenic score.
This makes the ingredient generally suitable for people prone to acne or breakouts.
One extra note: if a formula pairs this surfactant with heavier oils or butters the overall product could still feel greasy, so always judge the full ingredient list rather than any single component.
Summary
Potassium dodecylbenzenesulfonate is a straightforward surfactant whose main job is cleansing. By lowering water’s surface tension it helps lift oil and grime so they can be washed away, leaving skin and hair feeling fresh. Its reliability and budget-friendly cost keep it in steady use, though it is more of a workhorse ingredient than a headline star.
Safety data show it is low risk at the levels used in cosmetics. Most people can use products containing it without issues, yet a short patch test is always smart when trying anything new, especially if your skin is sensitive.