Skip to main content

Difference Between Sulfate And Sulfonate In Shampoo

 Sulfates and sulfonates have two things in common. First, they're all anionic surfactants. Second, they are often used for personal care applications. But there are many differences. They have different molecular mechanisms. They have different functions and they have different raw materials.

 

Sulfates

Sulfate is a compound. It has carbon bonds and oxygen and sulfur bonds. They include substances such as sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium lauryl ether sulfate.

 

At low pH, these substances plus the c-o-s bond hydrolyze to produce alcohol and inorganic sulfate. At a high pH, sulfate is stable in the base and, if ethoxylated to a relatively high level, produces a low-foaming alkali-soluble surfactant. Sulphates can be prepared by reaction of fatty alcohol or fatty alcohol ethoxylates with reagents such as SO3 or chlorosulfonic acid (CSA).

 

The reason shampoo becomes thick foam in the shower is that it contains sulfate. Most shampoos and household cleansers contain sulfate, but it is not popular for frizzy hair (especially curly hair) to work and damage colored hair.

 

Sulfonates

Sulfonate is a compound that has a carbon-sulfur bond. The sulfonates contain cystos-olefin sulfonates (AOS). The bond is stable in a range that allows greater pH, so it can be used in an acidic environment. The reaction of pso 3 and pso 3 can produce pso - sodium olefin sulfonate.

 

Key Differences: Sulfate vs. Sulfonate in Shampoo

Understanding the technical distinctions is crucial when choosing the right hair care product. The table below clearly outlines the fundamental differences between these two surfactant classes.

 

FAQ: Common Questions About Shampoo Surfactants

Is sulfonate a sulfate?

No, sulfonate is not a sulfate. Although they sound similar and both are used for cleansing, their molecular structures are different. Sulfonates contain a direct Carbon-Sulfur (C-S) bond, whereas sulfates contain a Carbon-Oxygen-Sulfur (C-O-S) bond. This difference makes sulfonates more stable across different pH levels and generally gentler on the skin.

 

Is Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate safe for hair?

Yes, it is widely considered a safe and effective alternative to traditional sulfates. It is particularly popular in sulfate-free shampoos because it provides a rich lather and strong cleaning power without being as drying or irritating as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).

 

Why is sulfonate used in "sulfate-free" products?

Since sulfonates do not technically fall under the sulfate category, brands use them to maintain the cleaning performance consumers expect (rich foam) while legally and scientifically meeting "sulfate-free" labeling requirements.

 

We can also offer kinds of glycolic acid for sale, anything you need, please contact us.

 

 


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Difference Between Sulfate And Sulfonate In Shampoo

  Sulfates and sulfonates have two things in common. First, they're all anionic surfactants. Second, they are often used for personal care applications. But there are many differences. They have different molecular mechanisms. They have different functions and they have different raw materials.   Sulfates Sulfate is a compound. It has carbon bonds and oxygen and sulfur bonds. They include substances such as sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium lauryl ether sulfate.   At low pH, these substances plus the c-o-s bond hydrolyze to produce alcohol and inorganic sulfate. At a high pH, sulfate is stable in the base and, if ethoxylated to a relatively high level, produces a low-foaming alkali-soluble surfactant. Sulphates can be prepared by reaction of fatty alcohol or fatty alcohol ethoxylates with reagents such as SO3 or chlorosulfonic acid (CSA).   The reason shampoo becomes thick foam in the shower is that it contains sulfate. Most shampoos and household cleansers contain su...
Post a Comment
Read more

What is Polyether Polyol

  Polyether polyol is prepared by ring-opening polymerization of epoxide monomers (such as ethylene oxide, propylene oxide and 1,2-epoxybutane) and a compound containing two or more active hydrogen atoms (called an initiator). In the presence of alkali catalyst, active hydrogen compounds initiate ring opening and oxide addition will continue until the required molecular weight is obtained. The number of hydroxyl groups in polyether polyol is determined by the number of unstable hydrogen atoms in the initiator. If the initiator has two active hydrogen, glycol will be formed. The reactivity of polyether polyol  to isocyanates depends on the initiator and the type of epoxy monomer that ends the ring-opening polymerization. The primary hydroxyl produced by polyol capped with ethylene oxide is more reactive than the secondary hydroxyl produced by propylene oxide, which is ideal for applications requiring rapid curing time. However, the use of initiator based on ethylene oxide and a...
Post a Comment
Read more

What is Expandable Microsphere?

  Brief Introduction of Expandable Microsphere The color of the expandable microspheres  is white. Its average particle size is 10-30 μ m. Its average density is about 1100 kg / m 3 . It has a thermoplastic shell comprising a low boiling liquid hydrocarbon. When the thermoplastic shell is softened at elevated temperatures, the increased pressure of the hydrocarbon will cause the microspheres to expand 40 to 100 times. When the internal pressure of the microsphere, the shell tension and the external pressure reach equilibrium, the microspheres no longer expand. Expandable microspheres have become the world's lightest application because the density of expanded microspheres is less than 30 kg / m3 (0.03 g / cm3).   Characteristics of Expandable Microsphere The first feature is cost savings. In thermoplastic materials such as PR, PP, PVC, PET, TPR, TPU, TPV, PA and paper/paperboard, expandable microspheres can be used as lightweight fillers and blowing agents. Expandable mic...
Post a Comment
Read more