Alpha Olefin Sulfonate (Cosmetic)

Alpha Olefin Sulfonate (Cosmetic) is a high-foaming cleansing surfactant widely used in personal care products designed for deep cleaning.

Alpha Olefin Sulfonate (AOS) is an anionic surfactant made from olefins (oil-derived compounds). In simple terms, it’s a cleansing agent that helps water remove oil, dirt, and buildup from skin and hair.

Why It’s Used

AOS is valued because it:

• Produces rich, dense foam
• Has strong cleansing power
• Rinses clean without heavy residue
• Works well in hard water
• Is more cost-effective than many mild surfactants

Common Cosmetic Uses

You’ll commonly find Alpha Olefin Sulfonate in:

• Shampoos (especially clarifying shampoos)
• Body washes
• Facial cleansers (mainly foaming types)
• Liquid hand soaps
• Men’s grooming products

Skin & Hair Considerations

✔ Excellent for oily hair and scalp
✔ Effective at removing product buildup
❌ Can be drying or irritating if used alone or at high levels

➡️ Because of this, formulators often blend it with milder surfactants (like Cocamidopropyl Betaine) to reduce harshness.

Formulation Notes

• Surfactant type: Anionic
• Foam: High
• Cleansing strength: Strong
• Typical use level: 5–15% (active matter, product-dependent)
• pH range: Stable in slightly acidic to neutral formulas

🆚 Compared to SLS/SLES

• Less irritating than SLS
• Similar cleansing power to SLES
• Still considered strong, not “ultra-mild.”

Cosmetic Use Only

Alpha Olefin Sulfonate labeled cosmetic grade is intended only for external use and must be properly formulated to avoid irritation.