What Is Sodium C12-14 Sec-Alketh-3 Sulfate?
Sodium C12-14 Sec-Alketh-3 Sulfate is a surfactant made by reacting synthetic secondary alcohols from the C12 to C14 carbon chain range with around three units of ethylene oxide, then sulfating the result and neutralising it with sodium hydroxide. The blend that comes out is a fine white to off-white powder or paste that dissolves easily in water. Secondary alcohol ethoxylates first appeared in the mid-20th century as a gentler alternative to older cleaning agents, and formulators soon noticed their mildness made them suitable for personal care. Over time manufacturers refined the process to focus on narrow chain lengths and controlled ethoxylation levels, giving rise to the ingredient used today in shampoos, body washes, facial cleansers, bubble baths and some liquid hand soaps.
Sodium C12-14 Sec-Alketh-3 Sulfate’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
In skin and hair care formulas this ingredient serves one main purpose:
Cleansing: It lowers the surface tension of water, allowing dirt, oil and product buildup to lift away and rinse off easily. Because it is milder than many traditional sulfates, it helps create a rich lather while keeping the formula less irritating, which is why it is popular in daily-use shampoos and gentle facial cleansers.
Who Can Use Sodium C12-14 Sec-Alketh-3 SulfateThis surfactant is generally suitable for normal, oily and combination skin types because it lifts away excess sebum without leaving a heavy residue. People with very dry or highly sensitive skin, especially those with eczema or compromised skin barriers, may find it a bit too cleansing which can lead to tightness or flaking if the formula lacks enough conditioning agents.
The ingredient is fully synthetic and contains no animal-derived substances so it fits vegan and vegetarian lifestyles. Whether a finished product aligns with cruelty-free values depends on the brand’s overall testing policies rather than the ingredient itself.
Sodium C12-14 Sec-Alketh-3 Sulfate is not known to penetrate deeply into the body and regulatory reviews have found it safe for topical use, so pregnant or breastfeeding women can generally use products containing it. This is not medical advice and anyone who is pregnant or nursing should run all personal care products past a qualified healthcare professional to be on the safe side.
It does not increase photosensitivity and will not make skin more prone to sunburn. Because it rinses away completely it also has no known impact on self-tanning or hair color treatments when used as directed.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Side effects from topical use of Sodium C12-14 Sec-Alketh-3 Sulfate vary from person to person. The points below represent potential reactions that could occur in uncommon circumstances. When the ingredient is formulated and used correctly most people will not experience any of these problems.
- Dryness or tightness
- Transient redness or stinging on sensitive skin
- Mild eye irritation if the product accidentally gets into the eyes
- Contact dermatitis in individuals with a specific sulfate sensitivity
- Increased frizz or rough hair texture with overuse in certain hair types
If any of these reactions occur stop using the product and consult a healthcare professional or dermatologist for guidance.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 1 / 5
Sodium C12-14 Sec-Alketh-3 Sulfate is highly water soluble and designed to rinse off completely, so it does not sit on skin long enough to block pores. It lacks oily or waxy components that typically trigger comedones, giving it a very low likelihood of causing breakouts. For this reason it is generally considered suitable for acne-prone or congestion-prone skin.
Because it is almost always used in wash-off products, any residual film left behind is minimal, further reducing the chance of pore blockage.
Summary
Sodium C12-14 Sec-Alketh-3 Sulfate is a gentle sulfate surfactant whose main job is cleansing. Its molecular structure lowers water’s surface tension so oils, dirt and styling residue can lift away and rinse off, leaving skin and hair feeling refreshed. Formulators like it because it foams well yet is milder than older sulfates, making it a common pick in everyday shampoos, body washes and face cleansers even if it is not as famous as ingredients like sodium laureth sulfate.
Regulatory panels have found it safe for topical use at typical concentrations, and adverse reactions are uncommon when products are formulated correctly. As with any cosmetic ingredient individual sensitivities can occur, so it is wise to patch test a new product before full use just to be safe.