What Is Sodium Stearic Acid Sulfate?

Learn about the solvent, surfactant cleansing, and surfactant emulsifying characteristics of Sodium Stearic Acid Sulfate and its usage in personal care products.

What Is Sodium Stearic Acid Sulfate? Brandon Jones / IngredientReviewer

Last Updated: October 2, 2024

Written by Brandon Jones

What Is Sodium Stearic Acid Sulfate?

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Sodium 9-(sulfooxy)stearate is a substance commonly used in cosmetics that helps to clean and mix together different ingredients. It works as a solvent, which means it dissolves other substances, and as a surfactant, which means it helps to remove dirt and oil from the skin. Additionally, it can also help mix oil-based and water-based ingredients together smoothly. Another name for this substance is 9(or 10)-(sulfooxy)stearic acid sodium salt.

What is the purpose of Sodium Stearic Acid Sulfate in personal care products? It is used for its solvent, surfactant cleansing, and surfactant emulsifying characteristics. Sodium Stearic Acid Sulfate dissolves other ingredients to improve mixing, helps clean body surfaces, and helps mix liquids that don't usually mix.

Names and identifiers that we found for this substance include: Sodium Stearic Acid Sulfate and Sodium 9-(sulfooxy)stearate.

What Are Solvent Ingredients?

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Sodium Stearic Acid Sulfate has solvent characteristics.

Solvents are usually liquid and can be either aqueous (water-based) or non-aqueous (oil-based). One of the main functions of solvents is to dissolve other ingredients of cosmetics, which means that they can help mix different ingredients to create a stable product.

For instance, solvents can dissolve pigments, allowing for even distribution of color in makeup products. They can also dissolve fragrances and essential oils, giving cosmetics a pleasant scent. Moreover, solvents can help improve cosmetics' texture by dissolving thickening agents, making them easier to spread and apply.

Solvent Ingredients in Other Products

Solvents are also widely used in other industries, such as pharmaceuticals, cleaning products, and paint manufacturing. Solvents are versatile substances that can dissolve or dilute other materials and make them easier to handle, apply, or mix.

In pharmaceuticals, solvents dissolve active ingredients to make them easier to administer or improve their bioavailability. In cleaning products, solvents help dissolve and remove dirt, grease, and other surface impurities. In paint manufacturing, solvents dissolve pigments and binders to create paint that can be easily applied and dries quickly. Solvents also play a vital role in the production of electronic devices, where they are used to clean and remove contaminants from surfaces.

What Are Surfactant Cleansing Ingredients?

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Sodium Stearic Acid 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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Sodium Stearic Acid 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.