What Is dea-cetyl sulfate?

Learn about the surfactant cleansing and surfactant emulsifying characteristics of dea-cetyl sulfate and its usage in personal care products.

What Is dea-cetyl sulfate? Brandon Jones / IngredientReviewer

Last Updated: October 2, 2024

Written by Brandon Jones

What Is dea-cetyl sulfate?

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Bis(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium hexadecyl sulphate, also known as dea-cetyl sulfate, is a chemical used in cosmetics. Its main functions are to cleanse and emulsify, which means it helps to dissolve and remove oils and dirt from the skin or hair. Essentially, it makes it easier for water to wash away impurities. It is classified as a surfactant because of its ability to lower surface tension between two substances (like oil and water).

What is the purpose of dea-cetyl sulfate in personal care products? It is used for its surfactant cleansing and surfactant emulsifying characteristics. dea-cetyl sulfate helps clean body surfaces and helps mix liquids that don't usually mix.

What Are Surfactant Cleansing Ingredients?

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dea-cetyl sulfate has surfactant cleansing characteristics.

Surfactant cleansing ingredients are commonly found in various cosmetics, particularly those designed for cleansing, such as shampoo, body wash, and facial cleansers. These ingredients serve several purposes, including wetting body surfaces, emulsifying or dissolving oils, and suspending dirt and grime, making them easier to remove. Surfactants generally contribute to the foaming and lathering properties of cleansing products, making them more effective in removing impurities from the skin or hair.

What Are Surfactant Emulsifying Ingredients?

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dea-cetyl sulfate has surfactant emulsifying characteristics.

Surfactant emulsifying ingredients helps mix two liquids that do not usually mix well by reducing the surface tension of the ingredients. The emulsification process involves suspending or dispersing one liquid in a second liquid, such as oil in water or vice versa. However, these two liquids have different properties that cause them to repel each other and not mix. This is where surfactants come in, as they can reduce the liquids' surface tension and allow them to mix.

Surfactants have two ends: a hydrophilic (water-loving) head and a hydrophobic (water-repelling) tail. When added to two liquids that do not mix well, the hydrophilic head attaches to the water-based liquid, while the hydrophobic tail attaches to the oil-based liquid. This creates a stable mixture of the two liquids and allows for a smooth and even distribution of ingredients in the cosmetic product.

Safety

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Remember, always read and follow the instructions provided on product labels carefully. If you have any questions or concerns about using a product containing various ingredients, consult with your doctor or healthcare provider before use.