What it is
Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate is a synthetic anionic surfactant of the linear alkylbenzene sulfonate family. In cosmetic and personal care products it functions as a cleansing, wetting, and emulsifying agent, helping to disperse oils and stabilize emulsions. In sunscreens it is generally used as a processing-aid surfactant at low levels.
Safety & warnings
Like other strong anionic surfactants, sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate can be drying or irritating to skin and eyes at higher concentrations, so it is generally used at low levels in leave-on products and balanced with milder co-surfactants. Tolerability in finished sunscreens depends on the overall formulation and use level.
Origin & sourcing
Synthetic. It is produced industrially by sulfonating linear dodecylbenzene and neutralizing with sodium, a common route to alkylbenzene sulfonate surfactants.
Questions everyone asks
What is this ingredient used for?
It is an anionic surfactant used for cleansing, wetting, and emulsifying, helping disperse oils and stabilize the product.
Is it natural or synthetic?
It is synthetic, made by sulfonating dodecylbenzene and neutralizing with sodium.