What Is Sodium Stearyl Phthalamate?

Learn about the surfactant emulsifying characteristics of Sodium Stearyl Phthalamate and its usage in personal care products.

What Is Sodium Stearyl Phthalamate? Brandon Jones / IngredientReviewer

Last Updated: October 2, 2024

Written by Brandon Jones

What Is Sodium Stearyl Phthalamate?

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What is the purpose of Sodium Stearyl Phthalamate in personal care products? It is used for its surfactant emulsifying characteristics. Sodium Stearyl Phthalamate helps mix liquids that don't usually mix.

Names and identifiers that we found for this substance include: Sodium Stearyl Phthalamate, Sodium 2-(octadecylcarbamoyl)benzoate, and "Benzoic acid, 2-[(octadecylamino)carbonyl]-, monosodium salt".

What Are Surfactant Emulsifying Ingredients?

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Sodium Stearyl Phthalamate 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.