What Is Sodium C14-15 Alketh-Pg Sulfonate?
Sodium C14-15 Alketh-Pg Sulfonate is a cleansing agent made from mid-length fatty alcohols that come from plant oils such as coconut or palm. Chemists join these fatty alcohols with small bits of glycerin and ethylene oxide, then add a touch of sulfur to give the final powder or liquid its soap-like nature. This blend of oil-loving and water-loving parts allows the ingredient to lift dirt and oil when mixed with water.
The ingredient first appeared in personal care labs in the late 1970s as brands searched for gentler alternatives to traditional soaps. Because it keeps working in hard water and holds up well over a wide range of pH levels, formulators soon placed it in everyday rinse-off products. Today you will spot Sodium C14-15 Alketh-Pg Sulfonate in shampoos, body washes, facial cleansers, bubble baths and even some makeup-removing wipes.
To make it on an industrial scale, manufacturers start with naturally sourced fatty alcohols, react them with ethylene oxide to create an ethoxylated chain, attach glycerin, add sulfur trioxide to form a sulfonate group, then finally neutralize the mix with sodium hydroxide. The result is a mild yet effective cleansing base that is easy to blend with fragrances, thickeners and skin conditioners.
Sodium C14-15 Alketh-Pg Sulfonate’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
The main role of Sodium C14-15 Alketh-Pg Sulfonate in a formula is cleansing. By surrounding oil, sweat and everyday grime, it allows these unwanted particles to rinse away with water. This gives shampoos that satisfying lather, lets body washes leave skin feeling fresh and helps facial cleansers remove makeup without heavy scrubbing.
Who Can Use Sodium C14-15 Alketh-Pg Sulfonate
This cleansing agent suits most skin types, especially normal, combination and oily skin that benefits from its ability to lift excess sebum. People with very dry or highly sensitive skin could find frequent or high-concentration use a bit drying because the ingredient can remove natural lipids along with dirt. Those with conditions such as eczema or a compromised barrier may prefer milder cleansers or formulas that pair the surfactant with extra moisturizers.
Sodium C14-15 Alketh-Pg Sulfonate is typically sourced from plant oils so it is considered suitable for vegans and vegetarians. Users should still check the full product label because other ingredients or processing aids could be animal derived.
The ingredient has a long safety record in rinse-off products and is not known to pose a specific risk to women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. That said this is not medical advice and anyone pregnant or nursing should run any skincare product past a qualified doctor for personal guidance.
Sodium C14-15 Alketh-Pg Sulfonate does not increase photosensitivity so it is safe to use day or night without special sun precautions beyond your regular SPF routine.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Reactions to topical Sodium C14-15 Alketh-Pg Sulfonate vary from person to person. The effects listed below are only potential issues and are unlikely for most users when the ingredient is formulated correctly.
- Dryness or tight feeling after rinsing
- Mild redness or stinging on sensitive or compromised skin
- Allergic contact dermatitis in rare cases of individual sensitivity
- Eye irritation if the product accidentally enters the eyes
- Increased color fading in dyed hair when used in high frequency or strong concentrations
If any of these effects occur stop using the product and seek advice from a healthcare professional.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 1 / 5
Sodium C14-15 Alketh-Pg Sulfonate is a water-soluble surfactant that rinses clean rather than sitting on the skin. Because it has no oily or waxy residues it is highly unlikely to block pores, earning it a low score of 1. This makes it generally fine for people prone to acne or breakouts, provided the rest of the formula is also lightweight and non-comedogenic. The only caveat is that over-cleansing can strip natural oils, which may prompt some skins to produce more sebum and indirectly trigger spots, so moderation is key.
Summary
Sodium C14-15 Alketh-Pg Sulfonate’s chief job is cleansing. Its dual oil-loving and water-loving structure surrounds dirt, makeup and excess sebum, then lifts the whole bundle away when you rinse. This gives shampoos, body washes and face cleansers a dependable lather and a fresh finish.
While not as famous as household names like sodium laureth sulfate, it enjoys steady popularity with formulators who want a mild alternative that still performs well in hard water and across a broad pH range. You will spot it most often in mid-priced everyday wash-off products.
The ingredient has decades of safe use behind it and, in typical rinse-off amounts, poses minimal risk for irritation or pore clogging. As with any new skincare product a simple patch test is wise to confirm individual tolerance before full-face or full-body use.