PRODUCTS

ALES (AMMONIUM LAURYL ETHER SULFATE)

CAS No. : 32612-48-9
EC No. : 71892-96-1

Synonyms:
Dodecan-1-ol, ethoxylated, sulfates, ammonium salts, 1-4 mol EO (average molar ratio); Spolapon AES 242 AM; Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate; Ammonium laureth sulfate; Ammonium laureth-5 sulfate; 32612-48-9; Ammonium laureth-7 sulfate; Ammonium laureth-9 sulfate; Ammonium laureth-12 sulfate; Polyethylene glycol (7) lauryl ether sulfate, ammonium salt; PEG-5 Lauryl ether sulfate, ammonium salt; PEG-7 Lauryl ether sulfate, ammonium salt; PEG-9 Lauryl ether sulfate, ammonium salt; PEG-12 Lauryl ether sulfate, ammonium salt; PEG-(1-4) Lauryl ether sulfate, ammonium salt; Ammonium polyoxyethylene (5) lauryl ether sulfate; Ammonium polyoxyethylene (7) lauryl ether sulfate; Ammonium Laureth Sulfate (ALES); Ammonium polyoxyethylene (12) lauryl ether sulfate; Ammonium polyethylene glycol (450) lauryl ether sulfate; Polyoxyethylene (12) lauryl ether sulfate, ammonium salt; Polyoxyethylene (5) lauryl ether sulfate, ammonium salt; Polyoxyethylene (7) lauryl ether sulfate, ammonium salt; Polyoxyethylene (9) lauryl ether sulfate, ammonium salt; Polyoxyethylene (1-4) lauryl ether sulfate, ammonium salt; Polyethylene glycol (1-4) lauryl ether sulfate, ammonium salt; Polyethylene glycol (5) lauryl ether sulfate, ammonium salt; Polyethylene glycol 450 lauryl ether sulfate, ammonium salt; Polyethylene glycol 600 lauryl ether sulfate, ammonium salt; Glycols, polyethylene, dodecyl ether, monosulfonate, ammonium salt; Dodecanol, ethoxylated, monoether with sulfuric acid, ammonium salt; Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha-sulfo-omega-(dodecyloxy)-, ammonium salt; 71892-96-1; UNII-9LPV636QCV; Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, 48-50%; azane;2-dodecoxyethyl hydrogen sulfate; Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, 28.0-30.0%; LS-72934; Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha-sulfo-omega-(dodecyloxy)-, ammonium salt (1:1); azanium dodecyl sulfate; Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS); Ammonium laureth sulfate; Cycloryl NA; Maprofix ES; Rhodapex ESY; Empimin KSN; Conco Sulfate WE; Sipon ES; Retzolate 60; Sipon ESY; Standapol ES 2; Standapol ES-3; Maprofix 60S; Empicol ESB 3; Rewopol NL-2; Texapon N40; Zetesol LES 2; Dodecyl Ammonium ethoxysulfate; Empicol ESB 30; Empimin KSN 27; Empimin KSN 60; Empimin KSN 70; 15826-16-1; Avirol 100E; Sipon LES 25; Elfan 242; Elfan NS 242; Elfan NS 243; 9004-82-4; Ammonium laureth-5 sulfate; Ammonium laureth-8 sulfate; Ammonium dodeceth-1 sulfate; 2-(Dodecyloxy)ethyl Ammonium sulfate; Etoxon EPA; Ammonium lauryl ethoxysulphate; Ammonium 2-(dodecyloxy)ethyl sulphate; Ammonium lauryl oxyethyl sulfate; HSDB 752; Ammonium lauryl sulfate ethoxylate; Ammonium lauryl polyoxyethylene ether sulfate; Ammonium 2-(lauryloxy)ethyl sulfate; Ammonium 2-(dodecyloxy)ethyl sulfate; Ethanol, 2-(dodecyloxy)-, hydrogen sulfate, Ammonium salt; Ammonium Laureth Sulfate (ALES); Ammonium laureth-7 sulfate; EINECS 239-925-1; Ammonium laureth-12 sulfate; Ammonium laurylpoly(oxyethylene) sulfate; Ammonium (lauryloxypolyethoxy)ethyl sulfate; Ammonium poly(oxyethylene) lauryl ether sulfate; Ammonium DODECYLPOLY(OXYETHYLENE) SULFATE; Ammonium polyoxyethylene (8) sulfate; 2-(Dodecyloxy)ethanol hydrogen sulfate Ammonium salt; Laureth-8 carboxylic acid, Ammonium salt; Polyethylene glycol sulfate monododecyl ether Ammonium salt; Ammonium polyethylene glycol 400 sulfate; Polyethylene glycol (7) lauryl ether sulfate, Ammonium salt; PEG-5 Lauryl ether sulfate, Ammonium salt; PEG-7 Lauryl ether sulfate, Ammonium salt; PEG-8 Lauryl ether sulfate, Ammonium salt; PEG-12 Lauryl ether sulfate, Ammonium salt; alpha-Sulfo-omega-(dodecyloxy)poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl) Ammonium salt; Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha-sulfo-omega-(dodecyloxy)-, Ammonium salt; Glycols, polyethylene, mono(hydrogen sulfate), dodecyl ether, Ammonium salt; Ammonium polyoxyethylene (5) lauryl ether sulfate; Ammonium polyoxyethylene (7) lauryl ether sulfate; Ammonium polyoxyethylene (12) lauryl ether sulfate; Ammonium polyethylene glycol (5) lauryl ether sulfate; Ammonium polyethylene glycol (7) lauryl ether sulfate

Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES)

Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) is an anionic surfactant commonly used as an ingredient in the production of fine personal care and cosmetic products. Most notably it exhibits copious stable foam with favourable viscosity properties. The product is especially suitable for liquid shampoos, skin cleaning agents with low pH and owing to its low irriation it is recommended for baby products.

Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) is highly valued for its ready biodegradability. Such properties allow the product to be used also in industrial foaming agents.

Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate is classified as :
Cleansing
Foaming
Surfactant

CAS Number 32612-48-9 / 67762-19-0
COSING REF No: 74404
Chem/IUPAC Name: Dodecan-1-ol, ethoxylated, sulfates, ammonium salts, 1-4 mol EO (average molar ratio)

What Is It?
Ethoxylated Alcohol salts are ingredients used primarily in cleansing products, including bubble baths, bath soaps and shampoos. Examples include Ammonium Capryleth Sulfate, Ammonium Pareth-25 Sulfate, Ammonium Myreth Sulfate, Magnesium Coceth Sulfate, Magnesium Laureth Sulfate, Magnesium Myreth Sulfate, Magnesium Oleth Sulfate, Sodium Coceth Sulfate, Sodium C10-15 Pareth Sulfate, Sodium C12-13 Pareth Sulfate, Sodium C12-15 Pareth Sulfate, Sodium Deceth Sulfate, Sodium Laneth Sulfate, Sodium Myreth Sulfate, Sodium Oleth Sulfate, Sodium Trideceth Sulfate and Zinc Coceth Sulfate.

Why is it used in cosmetics and personal care products?
Most of the ingredients function as surfactants and are used as cleansing agents. They clean the skin and hair by helping water to mix with oil and dirt so that they can be rinsed away. Others – specifically, Magnesium Coceth Sulfate, Sodium Coceth Sulfate, Sodium Myreth Sulfate, Sodium Trideceth Sulfate and Zinc Coceth Sulfate – also exhibit emulsifying properties. Sodium Laneth Sulfate is reported to additionally act as a skin conditioning agent.

Chemical description Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate based on natural fatty alcohol ethoxylate C12-14 with 2 moles of EO
INCI name Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate
EC name Alcohols, C12-14 (linear, even-numbered), ethoxylated, sulfates, ammonium salts, < 2.5 mol EO

Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate. Possesses good foaming property even in hard water and the presence of a large number of dirt. Has excellent decontamination, anti-hard water and high biodegradable ability. With rich and fine foam, it endows hair the feeling of tenderness and easiness for combing an smooth as well as comfortable feeling. It is widely used in liquid detergent, high-grade shampoo, gel and weak acid shampoo and bubble bath etc.

WHAT IS IT?
Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate is an ammonium salt of ethoxylated lauryl sulfate, a surfactant that contains PEG (polyethylene glycol) in its structure. ALES is classified as an alkyl sulfate and is an anionic surfactantfound primarily in shampoos and body-wash as a foaming agent. May be contaminated with potentially toxic manufacturing impurities such as 1,4-dioxane.

KEY INFORMATION
It is especially harmful to children - young eyes may not develop properly if exposed to ALES because proteins are dissolved.
Animals exposed to ALES may experience eye damage, depression, labored breathing, diarrhea, and severe skin irritation.

MORE INFORMATION
Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate is added to products as a foaming agent, and as a detergent. Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate is used in many shampoos, toothpastes, and skin cleansers. Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate can cause moderate to severe skin and eye irritation. It can also be contaminated with 1,4-Dioxane a suspected carcinogen. The severity of the irritation to increases directly with the concentration of ALES in a product. When combined with other chemicals, ALES can create nitrosamines, which are a potent class of carcinogens. ALES may also damage skin’s immune system by causing skin layers to separate, inflame and age.

Is Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) In Skincare Dangerous?

You’ll usually find it on all the to-avoid lists, but what did it do to deserve a spot there? Is it as dangerous as people claim or are people making a fuss about nothing again?

What Is Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES)?
Scientific definition: Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) is the ammonium salt of sulfated ethoxylated lauryl alcohol.

Plain English: A cleansing agent derived from coconut. The type used in skincare and haircare products is almost always synthetically made in a lab.

You’ll find it mostly in cleansing products like cleansers, shower gels, shampoos, etc.

P.S. Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) is a large molecule, so it can’t penetrate skin.

What Does Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) Do In Skincare And Haircare Products?
Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) is a cleansing agent.

(P.S. If it has Laureth Sulfate or Lauryl Sulfate in the name, it’s almost always a cleansing agent).

Ever tried washing a greasy pan with water alone? It won’t do. The grease stubbornly sticks to the pan, no matter how much you scrub it. Why?

Oil and water don’t mix. Just pour some oil into a glass of water and you’ll see it neatly stays on top. It doesn’t melt into the water at all.

Excess sebum is essentially oil. Your skincare and makeup products contain oil. You need to cleanse them off your face (and the rest of your body). But how?!

Enter surfactants, like Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES). It helps water mix with oil and dirt, so they can easily be rinsed away. No harsh scrubbing. No pain. Just clean skin (and hair). Phew!

Does Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) Has Any Side Effects?
Here’s the deal: all surfactants have the potential to be drying. They have to be. They literally remove oils and dirt from your skin. If they were too gentle, they wouldn’t be able to take off anything!

FYI, this is why it’s SO hard to find a sulfate-free shampoo that actually cleans oily hair. They’re too gentle and can’t remove anything unless you use the whole bottle (which totally defeats the purpose).

But you don’t want to use anything that’s even a little more drying than it needs to be. As a rule of thumb, surfactants with laurYL in the name ARE too harsh. Avoid them.

But what about those that have laurETH in the name, like Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES)? They’re in the perfect spot. They’re powerful enough to cleanse skin AND gentle enough not to dry it out and irritate it. Win win.

Sure, if you have very sensitive skin, there’s always the potential Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) is too drying for you. But for 90% of people, it’s totally safe.

P.S. Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) makes a lot of foam, too!

The Bottom Line
If you want very sensitive skin that gets irritated easily, you may want to avoid Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) in skincare and haircare products. It may be a bit too drying for it. For everyone else, this is a gentle surfactant that cleanses skin and hair without irritation.

What’s your take on Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES)? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) is the common name for ammonium dodecyl sulfate (CH3(CH2)10CH2OSO3NH4). The anion consists of a nonpolar hydrocarbon chain and a polar sulfate end group. The combination of nonpolar and polar groups confers surfactant properties to the anion: it facilitates dissolution of both polar and non-polar materials. Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) is classified as a sulfate ester. Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) is found primarily in shampoos and body-wash as a foaming agent.[1]/[2] Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) are very high-foam surfactants that disrupt the surface tension of water in part by forming micelles at the surface-air interface.

Action in solution
Above the critical micelle concentration, the anions organize into a micelle, in which they form a sphere with the polar, hydrophilic heads of the sulfate portion on the outside (surface) of the sphere and the nonpolar, hydrophobic tails pointing inwards towards the center. The water molecules around the micelle in turn arrange themselves around the polar heads, which disrupts their ability to hydrogen bond with other nearby water molecules. The overall effect of these micelles is a reduction in surface tension of the solution, which affords a greater ability to penetrate or "wet out" various surfaces, including porous structures like cloth, fibers, and hair. Accordingly, this structured solution allows the solution to more readily dissolve soils, greases, etc. in and on such substrates. Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) however exhibit poor soil suspending capacity.[2]

Safety of Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES)
Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) is an innocuous detergent. A 1983 report by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review, shampoos containing up to 31% Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) registered 6 health complaints out of 6.8 million units sold. These complaints included two of scalp itch, two allergic reactions, one hair damage and one complaint of eye irritation.
The CIR report concluded that both sodium and Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) “appear to be safe in formulations designed for discontinuous, brief use followed by thorough rinsing from the surface of the skin. In products intended for prolonged use, concentrations should not exceed 1%.”

The Human and Environmental Risk Assessment (HERA) project performed a thorough investigation of all alkyl sulfates, as such the results they found apply directly to Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES). Most alkyl sulfates exhibit low acute oral toxicity, no toxicity through exposure to the skin, concentration dependent skin irritation, and concentration dependent eye-irritation. They do not sensitize the skin and did not appear to be carcinogenic in a two-year study on rats. The report found that longer carbon chains (16–18) were less irritating to the skin than chains of 12–15 carbons in length. In addition, concentrations below 1% were essentially non-irritating while concentrations greater than 10% produced moderate to strong irritation of the skin.[5]

Occupational exposure
The CDC has reported on occupations which were routinely exposed to Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) between 1981 and 1983. During this time, the occupation with the highest number of workers exposed was registered nurses, followed closely by funeral directors.[6]

We get a lot of questions about sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) and Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES). We would like to reassure you that our safe, natural shampoos are all Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES)-free and SLS-free.

We've put together some information about Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) and SLS which will hopefully be useful for you.

WHAT MAKES SLS IRRITATING?
Although sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) and Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) have similar sounding names and are both classed as anionic surfactants, they have different molecular structures. SLS is a comparatively simple molecule and is therefore quite small in size.
This gives it the ability to penetrate the outer layers of the skin, particularly when used in conditions which encourage the skin's pores to open, such as when in a warm bath or shower.

When SLS penetrates the outer layers of the skin in this way, it comes into contact with more delicate cells that are in the process of being formed in the dermis.

A is an anionic surfactant from the group of alkyl sulphates, INCI name: Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES). Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) is mainly intended for personal care products. It has the form of a clear, viscous liquid in colour from colourless to light yellow. The active substance content in the commercial product is around 27%. The microbiological purity of the product is ensured by the addition of sodium benzoate.

The main advantage of the product is the preservation of washing and foaming properties even in the presence of excessive amounts of sebum. ROSULfan A has a much higher resistance to hard water and, at the same time, has a much lower irritating and drying effect compared to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. In compositions containing Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and / or Sodium Laureth Sulfate, the use of ROSULfAN A reduces the irritant effect of these surfactants. This is especially important in delicate shampoos recommended for sensitive skin.

The product is completely biodegradable and meets the criteria of cosmetics and detergent directives. It also has the Ecocert COSMOS certificate for cosmetic ingredients.

In the construction industry, it is used as an ingredient in agents reducing the weight of drywall, as well as air-entraining and plasticizing admixtures. However, in emulsion polymerization, ROSULfan A provides excellent stabilization of the polymer dispersion at lower pH ranges. Thanks to its use, it is possible to control the particle size, including acrylic, styrene-acrylic systems, vinyl acetate homo- and copolymers, VaE type dispersions and PVC emulsion.

What Is Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES)?
Sodium lauryl sulfate and Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) are widely used surfactant in shampoos, bath products, hair colorings, facial makeup, deodorants, perfumes, and shaving preparations; however, they can also be found in other product formulations.

Why is it used in cosmetics and personal care products?
Sodium lauryl sulfate and Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) are surfactant that help with the mixing of oil and water. As such, they can clean the skin and hair by helping water to mix with oil and dirt so that they can be rinsed away or suspend poorly soluble ingredients in water.

Safety Information:
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) includes sodium lauryl sulfate on its list of multipurpose additives allowed to be directly added to food. Sodium lauryl sulfate and Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) are also approved indirect food additives. For example, both ingredients are permitted to be used as components of coatings.

More safety Information:
Sodium lauryl sulfate and Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) may be used in cosmetics and personal care products marketed in Europe according to the general provisions of the Cosmetics Regulation of the European Union .

Is there any truth to the Internet rumors about sodium lauryl sulfate?
Since 1998, a story has been circulating on the Internet that states that sodium lauryl sulfate can cause cancer. This allegation is unsubstantiated and false. In fact, in a 2002 safety review, the CIR Expert Panel assessed all of the data on sodium lauryl sulfate and concluded that “[n]one of the data suggested any possibility that sodium lauryl sulfate or Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) could be carcinogenic. Despite suggestions to the contrary on the Internet, the carcinogenicity of these ingredients is only a rumor.”

Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) & Your Hair: Ingredients and Advice
We often buy shampoo without really knowing what’s in it.

We may have been seduced into said purchase because of an attractive price, an online ad or a recommendation from a friend. Or – and let’s be honest here – simply because we liked the design and colour of the bottle.

It can be very disappointing to discover that, after a few times of using it, our hair does not feel its usual, silky self. We notice a crispiness, lesser defined curls, perhaps even damage. Naturally, this will get us thinking about our choice of shampoo and whether it’s really the right fit for our hair or not. Upon studying the ingredients listed on the bottle and trying to figure out how beneficial or harmful they can be to our curly hair, we are faced with many terms we are completely unfamiliar with.

Among them, we have several types of sulfates, the different types of which can be just as difficult to identify.
One of these sulfates is the Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES). You have probably used several products containing this sulfate; it is common in all types of beauty and cosmetic goods including shampoos, but also toothpaste, body gels and soaps. It is a widely used ingredient in these kinds of products, not only because of its cleansing properties but also because it is very economical.

There is a lot of speculation about this particular sulfate and its effects on our hair, with many sources advocating for its use and many others warning us against it. In this article, we’ll get to the bottom of this common shampoo ingredient and its characteristics.

What is Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES)?
Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) is an ammonium salt. Although it is originally derived from the coconut, it is commonly created in laboratories for its use in all types of products. As is true for every other sulfate, Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) is a surfactant (“Surface active agent”) – that is, an active agent that creates tension between two surfaces.

In the case of a shampoo, Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) is used to create foam once it comes into contact with water.
This foam helps to wash away grease and dirt in general, as well as to maximize the cleaning efficiency of the product. It also has a psychological, commercial component to it, as many users believe that, the more foam a product generates, the more cleansing it is.
Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) is an improved form of Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES). The suffix, “eth”, comes from the added oxygen through a process known as ethoxylation, which makes this agent softer and more water-soluble.

This addition has proven to be a solution against sulfate residues that persist in the skin after washing your hair, and provides a milder, less aggressive agent.

Is Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) Safe to Use on Your Hair?
The problem with sulfates and the foam they create is that they do their job too well. A sulfate basically acts as a detergent that eliminates dirt when we apply it, but also our hair’s natural oils.

As such, it can eliminate our hair’s natural protection. This becomes a problem when using a shampoo with Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) on a regular basis. In this case, we are not leaving these natural oils enough time to form again.
When used sporadically, this sulfate is considered to be gentle on our hair and skin. If used excessively, though, Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) – and all sulfates in general – dry out our hair, to the point of causing skin irritations and even the apparition of dandruff. It also makes our hair that much more brittle.

In the long term, it may not only affect our hair’s health but its colour, too. In the most extreme cases (and, generally, mostly among men), it can lead to hair loss.

HOW IS Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) DIFFERENT?
Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES), by contrast, is a slightly more complex molecule and is physically larger with a heavier molecular mass.
This means that it is more difficult for Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) molecules to penetrate the outer layers of the skin and so reach the delicate underlying layers of cells.

Due to this difference, Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) is regarded as being considerably less irritating than SLS – on a scale of 0 to 10, where the potential irritancy of water is 0 and that of SLS is 10, Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) scores around 4 – clearly far less irritating than SLS.
SLS AND Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES)-FREE SHAMPOOS

What is Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) and SLS, and what is the difference between them?
Are you the type of person that looks and questions every ingredient in the products you purchase? Don’t worry, that’s a good thing! We’re happy to know people care about what they are in contact with, and we’ve definitely gotten a few questions about our ingredients as well. Which is why we’re here to give you the low down on our Lunette Feelbetter Cup Cleanser and the surfactant we use in it — Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) (ASL), and compare it the one we don’t use, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS). Try not to get tongue twisted ;)

What is Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) and SLS, and what is the difference between them?
Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate are both anionic surfactants. English, please? A surfactant is a compound that decreases the surface tension between two liquids, a solid or a liquid, or a gas and a liquid. They often act as detergents, foaming agents, and more by helping to mix water with oil and dirt so they can be washed away. Science rules. ASL and SLS have similar-sounding names but what makes them different is their molecular structure.

Although there have been reports that SLS is carcinogenic, there is no scientifically proven link to it. Many reports on the Internet cannot verify this argument with convincing scientific evidence. In fact, cosmetic products in the European Union must comply with strict guidelines and prove their safety before they can be sold.

The flip side of why someone would be against these surfactants is that, because of their efficacy in high concentrations, they are particularly irritating to the eyes and skin. This is being emphasized again and again by most opponents. News flash — all surfactants used are usually harmful to the eyes, whether they are SLS, Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) or other compounds. However, Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) has been found clearly milder than sodium lauryl sulfate in irritation tests

In an article of the "Cosmetic Ingredients Review", only six complaints were reported for shampoos containing up to 31% Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) with 6.8 million units sold. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review report also states, that "Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) appear to be safe in formulations designed for discontinuous, brief use followed by thorough rinsing from the surface of the skin.”
Usually, you only come in contact with surfactants for a short amount of time, like when you’re washing your hair or cleaning your menstrual cup. In this short contact, which is then rinsed with water, the risk of irritation is very low.

Why aren’t we using “soft” surfactants?
A current trend is to use ingredients that are made by marketing campaigns to sound "soft and gentle" and "used earlier". Therefore, in natural cosmetics, for example, glucosides are used, such as Coco Glucosides, Lauryl Glucosides, Decyl Glucosides, since glucosides have a glucose, i.e. a sugar base.

Other alternatives, than glucosides, are weaker in foam than sulfates and harder to thicken. Therefore, cleaners containing sulfates, on the other hand, can easily be thickened to gel without the need to use thickening polymers or gums which, can easily leave a sticky feeling. You don’t want a sticky cup, right? ;)

In order to clean the Lunette Menstrual Cups thoroughly, we have chosen Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) for its effectiveness as one of the ingredients in our Feelbetter Cup Cleanser. Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) leaves no residue on the surface of the cup, and Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) is recognized by the "Allergy, Skin and Asthma Federation" as an ingredient in cosmetic products. Many people still confuse Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) with the "infamous" Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS). The second surfactant we use is called cocamidopropyl betaine. This surfactant is preferred in natural cosmetics, but Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) does not work well enough alone, so we paired it with the more effective Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES).

If this little science lesson has got you curious about our Lunette Feelbetter Cup Cleanser, you can buy one on our website! Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) doesn’t contain any artificial fragrances — instead, it’s scented with lemon and eucalyptus oil, selected for their purifying and cleansing properties!

Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) Usage And Synthesis
Chemical Properties yellow viscous liquid

Uses
Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) is a surfactant with emulsifying capabilities. given its detergent properties, at mild acidic pH levels it can be used as an anionic surfactant cleanser. Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) is considered one of the most irritating surfactants, causing dryness and skin redness. Today, it is either combined with anti-irritant ingredients to reduce sensitivity or replaced with a less irritating but similar surfactant, such as Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES).

General Description Light yellow liquid. May float or sink and mix with water.
Air & Water Reactions Water soluble.

Reactivity Profile Acidic inorganic salts, such as Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES), are generally soluble in water. The resulting solutions contain moderate concentrations of hydrogen ions and have pH's of less than 7.0. They react as acids to neutralize bases. These neutralizations generate heat, but less or far less than is generated by neutralization of inorganic acids, inorganic oxoacids, and carboxylic acid.

Health Hazard Contact with liquid irritates eyes and may have drying effect on the skin. Prolonged contact will cause skin irritation.
Fire Hazard Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Toxic oxides of nitrogen and sulfur may form in fires.

The product has the ability to produce dense and stable foam, which allows fine and evenly distributed air bubbles to be obtained. Due to these properties, ROSULfan A is used as the main ingredient in cleansing cosmetic products. Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) is dedicated to shampoos, body wash and shower gels.

The safety of sodium lauryl sulfate and Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) has been assessed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel on two separate occasions (1983 and 2002), concluding each time that the data showed these ingredients were safe in formulations designed for brief, discontinuous use, followed by thorough rinsing from the surface of the skin. In products intended for prolonged contact with skin, concentrations should not exceed 1%.

This addition has proven to be a solution against sulfate residues that persist in the skin after washing your hair, and provides a milder, less aggressive agent.

When used sporadically, this sulfate is considered to be gentle on our hair and skin. If used excessively, though, Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) – and all sulfates in general – dry out our hair, to the point of causing skin irritations and even the apparition of dandruff. Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) is the common name for ammonium dodecyl sulfate (CH3(CH2)10CH2OSO3NH4). The anion consists of a nonpolar hydrocarbon chain and a polar sulfate end group. The combination of nonpolar and polar groups confers surfactant properties to the anion: it facilitates dissolution of both polar and non-polar materials. Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) is classified as a sulfate ester. Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) is found primarily in shampoos and body-wash as a foaming agent.[1]/[2] Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) are very high-foam surfactants that disrupt the surface tension of water in part by forming micelles at the surface-air interface.

Environment
The HERA project also conducted an environmental review of alkyl sulfates that found all alkyl sulfates are readily biodegradable and standard wastewater treatment operations removed 96–99.96% of short-chain (12–14 carbons) alkyl sulfates. Even in anaerobic conditions at least 80% of the original volume is biodegraded after 15 days with 90% degradation after 4 weeks.

We've put together some information about Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) and SLS which will hopefully be useful for you.
We get a lot of questions about sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) and Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES). We would like to reassure you that our safe, natural shampoos are all Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES)-free and SLS-free.

We've put together some information about Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) and SLS which will hopefully be useful for you.

When SLS penetrates the outer layers of the skin in this way, it comes into contact with more delicate cells that are in the process of being formed in the dermis.

Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) is here that the irritation associated with SLS manifests itself, resulting in reddening and erythema of the skin.

We do not use Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) or SLS in our hair care products. All of our organic shampoos use different surfactants which are kind to skin. Full ingredients lists are available on each product page.
What is Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) and SLS, and what is the difference between them?
Are you the type of person that looks and questions every ingredient in the products you purchase? Don’t worry, that’s a good thing! We’re happy to know people care about what they are in contact with, and we’ve definitely gotten a few questions about our ingredients as well. Which is why we’re here to give you the low down on our Lunette Feelbetter Cup Cleanser and the surfactant we use in it — Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) (ASL), and compare it the one we don’t use, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS). Try not to get tongue twisted ;)
What is Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) and SLS, and what is the difference between them?
Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate are both anionic surfactants. English, please? A surfactant is a compound that decreases the surface tension between two liquids, a solid or a liquid, or a gas and a liquid. They often act as detergents, foaming agents, and more by helping to mix water with oil and dirt so they can be washed away. Science rules. ASL and SLS have similar-sounding names but what makes them different is their molecular structure.

Are Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) and SLS safe to use?
For decades, sulphates have been in the focus of critical parties, even though they are an incredibly efficient fat remover and create a ton of foam. They are considered as environmentally friendly, as they are very quickly biodegradable and won’t typically cause any allergies. Sulfates are recognized among others by the Asthma and Allergy Society in all countries and therefore widely used in most shampoos, sanitary cleansing gels, dishwashers, etc., to dissolve fat the most effectively.
Although there have been reports that SLS is carcinogenic, there is no scientifically proven link to it. Many reports on the Internet cannot verify this argument with convincing scientific evidence. In fact, cosmetic products in the European Union must comply with strict guidelines and prove their safety before they can be sold.

As is true for every other sulfate, Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) is a surfactant (“Surface active agent”) – that is, an active agent that creates tension between two surfaces.

In the case of a shampoo, Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) is used to create foam once it comes into contact with water.

Glucosides are much weaker in foam than sulfates, and they are not as easily thickened as sulfates. You then need polymers or gums as thickeners. However, polymers are banned in natural cosmetics and substances that are permitted in natural cosmetics, such as xanthan gum, cause the gel to leave a sticky feeling on the skin.
Other alternatives, than glucosides, are weaker in foam than sulfates and harder to thicken. Therefore, cleaners containing sulfates, on the other hand, can easily be thickened to gel without the need to use thickening polymers or gums which, can easily leave a sticky feeling. You don’t want a sticky cup, right?

Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) is also important to consider that not all shampoos include the same proportion of sulfates in their composition, though the percentage does not always appear among the ingredients listed. A good measure of their quantity is to study where they are positioned in the list of ingredients: the higher they show up, the more prominent they are in the product.
If you have curly hair, Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) is important to try to keep it as hydrated as possible for glossy and well-defined locks. Even so, it may not be the best idea to completely stay off sulfate-based shampoos, to achieve a good and deep cleaning of the scalp and hair. Try to incorporate a shampoo containing Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES) into your haircare regime once or twice a month tops and stick to a sulfate-free shampoo for regular washing.

When deciding on whether to use a shampoo containing ALES or not – and, if so, how frequently – there are two pointers worth mentioning. If you have dyed hair, you should try and avoid using shampoos containing sulfates, as it can wash the colour out. The same is true for swimmers who frequent the beach regularly since the salt exposure will work cleansing enough. also makes our hair that much more brittle.
In the long term, it may not only affect our hair’s health but its colour, too. In the most extreme cases (and, generally, mostly among men), it can lead to hair loss.

How & When to Use Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES)
If you have dry hair or sensitive skin prone to irritation, you should try to avoid shampoos that include the most aggressive types of sulfates. These are (from most to least harmful): sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES), sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) and Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES).

Even so, this last one is not as aggressive as its lauryl cousin and, when used moderately, shouldn’t have any adverse effect on your hair.
If you have naturally oily hair, you may find that you need a sulfate-based shampoo to clean your hair properly. This may also apply to styling products such as hair gel or creams you use frequently.

Not all sulfates are as strong as Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES). There are other sulfates, such as Sodium Coco Sulfate, Cocoamphoacetate and Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, that are becoming more and more present in different shampoo brands and that are not as strong as Ammonium lauryl ether sulfate (ALES).