Ammonium Lauryl Sulphate is another surfactant found in most cosmetic products. Due to its very good cleaning and foaming properties, as well as a milder effect on the skin and hair (vs. SLS), it is often chosen for the production of shampoos, shower gels, shaving foams and many others.
Ammonium Lauryl Sulphate is another compound from a large group of surfactants playing a key role primarily in the cosmetics industry. Ammonium Lauryl Sulphate (which is the INCI name of this substance) is an anionic compound that belongs to the group of alkyl sulphates. The chemical name of this surfactant is ammonium lauryl sulfate. The CAS number is 90583-11-2.
The physical and chemical properties of Ammonium Lauryl Sulphate:
Ammonium Lauryl Sulphate has a chemical structure due to which it is classified as a member of a large group of compounds called surfactants. Surfactant particles surround dirt, which makes its particles detach from the cleaned surface, from which they are then rinsed off with water. In addition, the good foaming properties of this compound enhance the cleansing effect and the feeling of freshness after application (Ammonium Lauryl Sulphate deeply cleanses and degreases the surface of the skin and hair).
The cleaning properties of Ammonium Lauryl Sulphate are directly related to its ability to produce large amounts of stable foam. The ability to produce dense and stable foam allows to obtain fine and evenly distributed air bubbles. Foam is a system where air (or other gas) is dispersed in a liquid. Pure liquids do not have the ability to foam, but after adding surfactants, foam formation is observed in such systems. The foaming capacity of Ammonium Lauryl Sulphate largely depends on its concentration, the pH value of the solution and the hardness of the water. Importantly, the good cleaning and foaming properties of this compound are preserved even in the presence of an excessive amount of sebum.
Ammonium Lauryl Sulphate is very often used as a substitute for irritating detergents such as SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulphate). However, it can also be irritating to the skin and mucous membranes, which is why it is most often used together with other substances that balance its effects.
Due to the fact that Ammonium Lauryl Sulphate is much less irritating in comparison with a popular surfactant, Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS), it is a good substitute for this component, e.g. in dishwashing liquids and other household detergents.
As a washing component, it is also included in detergents dedicated to industrial applications, such as motor vehicle cleaning and maintenance.
In the construction industry, Ammonium Lauryl Sulphate is used in agents reducing the weight of plasterboards and in air-entraining/plasticizing admixtures.
In the chemical industry, especially in emulsion polymerization processes, it provides excellent stabilization of the polymer dispersion under lower pH ranges. Thanks to this, it becomes possible to design the particle size, including acrylic, styrene-acrylic or VaE dispersions.
Moreover, Ammonium Lauryl Sulphate is an indirect food additive based on lists published by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
