What Is Tea-C11-15 Alkyl Sulfate?
Tea-C11-15 Alkyl Sulfate is the triethanolamine salt made from sulfating a mix of synthetic fatty alcohols that have 11 to 15 carbon atoms. The fatty alcohols mimic those found in natural plant oils, but they are produced in a lab to keep quality steady. The finished ingredient is a pale liquid or paste that dissolves well in water and has a mild scent.
Surfactants like this one became popular in the 1950s when chemists looked for gentler cleansing agents than traditional soap. By linking fatty alcohols to sulfate groups and neutralizing them with triethanolamine, they created a cleanser that lathers in hard or soft water and rinses off easily. Over time the ingredient found its way into personal care products because it offered strong yet mild cleansing at a reasonable cost.
Manufacturing starts with synthetic C11-C15 fatty alcohols. These alcohols react with sulfur trioxide to form the corresponding sulfate ester. The acidic sulfate is then neutralized with triethanolamine, yielding Tea-C11-15 Alkyl Sulfate. The process is done under controlled temperature and pressure to keep by-products low and purity high.
You will most often spot this ingredient in facial cleansers, body washes, shampoos, bubble baths and some hand soaps. Formulators like it for products that need dense foam and a clean rinse without leaving a heavy film.
Tea-C11-15 Alkyl Sulfate’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
This ingredient mainly acts as a cleansing agent in rinse-off products.
Cleansing: Its surfactant nature lowers the surface tension of water so oils, dirt and leftover makeup lift away from skin or hair. It produces a rich foam that users associate with a thorough clean yet it remains milder than many sulfates, helping reduce dryness after washing.
Who Can Use Tea-C11-15 Alkyl Sulfate
Most skin types, including normal, oily and combination, can tolerate Tea-C11-15 Alkyl Sulfate in rinse-off products. People with very dry, eczema-prone or otherwise compromised skin may find it a bit too stripping because sulfates can remove natural lipids faster than those skin types can replace them.
The ingredient is produced from synthetic fatty alcohols and triethanolamine, with no animal-derived inputs, so it fits vegan and vegetarian standards as long as the finished product is certified cruelty free by the brand.
Pregnant and breastfeeding individuals are generally considered safe to use products containing Tea-C11-15 Alkyl Sulfate, especially since the ingredient is rinsed away quickly. This is not medical advice and anyone who is pregnant or nursing should run their skincare routine past a physician just to be safe.
The molecule does not make skin more sensitive to sunlight, so it is not linked to photosensitivity. Color-treated hair can fade a bit faster with frequent use because sulfates lift dye molecules, so users who want to preserve salon color may prefer sulfate-free cleansers.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Responses to topical Tea-C11-15 Alkyl Sulfate vary from person to person. The points below describe potential side effects that could occur, yet most people will not experience them when the ingredient is formulated and used correctly.
- Dryness or tightness: Excess removal of the skin’s natural oils can leave some users feeling parched after rinsing
- Skin irritation: Redness stinging or itching can appear in individuals with sensitive or compromised skin barriers
- Allergic contact dermatitis: Rare cases of true allergy can cause rash swelling or scaling at the site of contact
- Eye irritation: If the cleanser gets into eyes it can produce tearing and temporary discomfort
- Color fade in dyed hair: Frequent exposure may strip artificial pigments leading to dullness
If any negative reaction occurs stop using the product and seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 1 out of 5. Tea-C11-15 Alkyl Sulfate is a water-soluble surfactant that rinses off fully and leaves no oily residue that could block pores. Its large ionic structure does not penetrate into follicles, so the risk of clogging is very low. Any bumps that show up after use are more likely linked to irritation than true comedogenesis.
This low score means the ingredient is generally suitable for people who are prone to acne or breakouts.
Because it is typically found in wash-off products, contact time with skin is brief which further reduces the chance of pore congestion.
Summary
Tea-C11-15 Alkyl Sulfate serves mainly as a cleansing agent. As a surfactant it lowers water’s surface tension, wraps around oils and grime then lifts them away in the rinse, giving skin and hair a fresh feel without a heavy film.
The ingredient is fairly common in mainstream shampoos, body washes and face cleansers thanks to its reliable foam and budget-friendly cost. That said, the recent surge of sulfate-free marketing has nudged some brands to swap it for alternative surfactants so its popularity is steady but no longer growing.
Safety profiles rate it as low risk for most users when properly formulated, especially in rinse-off formats. Still, everyone’s skin is different so it is smart to patch test any new product that contains Tea-C11-15 Alkyl Sulfate before fully incorporating it into your routine.