What Is Sodium C12-13 Pareth-2 Phosphate?
Sodium C12-13 Pareth-2 Phosphate is a synthetic surfactant made from medium-chain fatty alcohols that contain 12 to 13 carbon atoms. These alcohols are first reacted with a small amount of ethylene oxide to attach an average of two ethoxy groups. The resulting material is then treated with phosphoric acid to form a phosphate ester and finally neutralized with sodium hydroxide to give the sodium salt used in cosmetics.
The ingredient emerged in the late 1960s when formulators began looking for milder alternatives to traditional soaps. Its balanced mix of oil-loving and water-loving parts allows it to cleanse without stripping skin or hair, which quickly made it popular in personal care products.
Today you will most often see Sodium C12-13 Pareth-2 Phosphate in shampoos, body washes, facial cleansers, liquid hand soaps, bubble baths and sometimes in makeup removers or exfoliating scrubs where gentle yet effective cleansing is needed.
Sodium C12-13 Pareth-2 Phosphate’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
Formulators choose this ingredient mainly for one key job:
Cleansing: It attaches to oils, sweat and everyday grime so they can be rinsed away with water. This gives products a fresh, clean feel while helping them create a stable lather that consumers expect from modern washes and shampoos.
Who Can Use Sodium C12-13 Pareth-2 Phosphate
This surfactant is generally suitable for normal, oily and combination skin types because it removes excess oil without leaving a heavy residue. Most people with sensitive or very dry skin can also tolerate it, but they might notice tightness if the cleanser is left on the skin for a long time or used too often. Those with an impaired skin barrier should approach with caution, since any foaming agent can increase transepidermal water loss in compromised skin.
The ingredient is synthesized from fatty alcohols, ethylene oxide, phosphoric acid and sodium hydroxide, none of which are animal derived. For that reason products using it are normally considered vegan and vegetarian friendly, though certification depends on the full formula and manufacturing practices.
Because Sodium C12-13 Pareth-2 Phosphate is used in rinse-off products and is not known to penetrate deeply, it is viewed as safe for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding. This is not medical advice and anyone who is expecting or nursing should check with a doctor before adding new personal care products, just to be certain.
The ingredient does not increase photosensitivity, so it will not make skin more prone to sunburn. It is also color safe for most dyed hair since it is milder than traditional sulfates.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Reactions to topical Sodium C12-13 Pareth-2 Phosphate vary from person to person. The points below list potential side effects, but these outcomes are uncommon when the ingredient has been properly formulated in a finished product.
- Mild skin irritation or redness
- Dryness or tight feeling after use
- Eye stinging if the product gets into the eyes
- Allergic contact dermatitis in individuals with specific sensitivities
- Scalp flaking or itchiness with very frequent shampooing
If any of these reactions occur stop using the product and consult a healthcare professional.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 1 / 5
Sodium C12-13 Pareth-2 Phosphate is a highly water-soluble surfactant that is usually rinsed off within seconds of application. It does not leave an oily film on the skin and its molecular structure is too large to build up inside pores, so the likelihood of clogging is very low. Because most formulas use it at modest concentrations and pair it with moisturizers that rinse clean, the overall comedogenic risk remains minimal.
In practical terms this ingredient is considered suitable for people prone to acne or breakouts.
As with any cleansing agent over-washing can strip protective lipids, which may cause reactive oiliness in some individuals, but that is an indirect effect rather than pore blockage.
Summary
Sodium C12-13 Pareth-2 Phosphate is chiefly a cleanser that lifts away oil, sweat and surface debris by surrounding them with its oil-loving tail while its water-loving head lets everything rinse off clean. This balance delivers the foam and freshness people expect from modern shampoos, face washes and body cleansers.
The ingredient enjoyed a surge of popularity when gentle, sulfate-free washes became mainstream and it still appears in a wide range of mid-priced personal care products, though it competes with newer plant-based surfactants.
Safety profiles from cosmetic regulators rate it as low risk in rinse-off use, with irritation or dryness being the main but infrequent concerns. As with any new product it is smart to patch test first, especially if you have sensitive skin, to make sure your skin agrees with the full formula.