What is the Difference Between Sodium Laureth Sulfate and Sodium Trideceth Sulfate

The key difference between sodium laureth sulfate and sodium trideceth sulfate is that sodium laureth sulfate is a very effective foaming agent, whereas sodium trideceth sulfate is a comparatively less effective foaming agent.

Sodium laureth sulfate and sodium trideceth sulfate are two important ingredients in the cosmetics industry. These two compounds are sulfates of sodium and are surfactants that are added to many different health and beauty products for the creation of foam and cleaning action.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Sodium Laureth Sulfate  
3. What is Sodium Trideceth Sulfate
4. Sodium Laureth Sulfate vs Sodium Trideceth Sulfate in Tabular Form
5. Summary – Sodium Laureth Sulfate vs Sodium Trideceth Sulfate

What is Sodium Laureth Sulfate?

Sodium laureth sulfate is a type of sodium lauryl ether sulfate, and it is an anionic surfactant and detergent that can be found in many commercially available personal care products. We can abbreviate this substance as SLES. It is also known as sodium alkylethersulfate. Personal care products where we can find sodium laureth sulfate include soap, shampoo, toothpaste, etc. Moreover, there are some industrial uses of this substance as well.

Figure 01: The Chemical Structure of Sodium Laureth Sulfate

We can name sodium laureth sulfate as an inexpensive yet very effective foaming agent. It is useful as a surfactant in many cosmetic products. This is because of its cleaning and emulsifying properties. Typically, sodium laureth sulfate is derived from palm kernel oil or coconut oil. Besides, this substance is used in herbicides as a surfactant where we need improvement of absorption of the herbicide chemical. Further, it can reduce the time taken for rainfast when enough herbicidal agent absorption is taking place.

When considering the production of this substance, we can prepare it by ethoxylation of dodecyl alcohol. Usually, dodecyl alcohol forms industrially from palm kernel oil or coconut oil. This reaction gives an ethoxylate that converts into a half ester of sulfuric acid. This acid can be neutralized by converting it into sodium salt.

There can be some side effects and harmful effects of using sodium laureth sulfate, which include irritation in the eyes, skin, and lungs. Severe effects may arise upon taking them for the long term. Although it is considered a skin irritant, we can still use it on the skin and in the mouth without keeping it for a long time.

What is Sodium Trideceth Sulfate?

Sodium trideceth sulfate can be described as a sodium salt of sulfated ethoxylated tridecyl alcohol. This substance is able to act as a mild nonionic surfactant that tends to contain conditioning properties. If we use it in combination with other surfactants, it can create foam and viscosity. This type of sulfate is useful in cleansing products, which include bubble baths, bath soaps, and shampoos. It can clean our skin and hair by helping water to combine with oil and dirt to rinse them away.

The most common commercial products in which we can find sodium trideceth sulfate are baby products, bath products, eye makeup, facial makeup, fragrance, hair care products, hair color products, nail polishes, oral care products, shaving products, sun protection creams, skincare products, etc.

What is the Difference Between Sodium Laureth Sulfate and Sodium Trideceth Sulfate?

Sodium laureth sulfate is a type of sodium lauryl ether sulfate, and it is an anionic detergent and surfactant that can be found in many commercially available personal care products. Meanwhile, sodium trideceth sulfate is a sodium salt of sulfated ethoxylated tridecyl alcohol. The key difference between sodium laureth sulfate and sodium trideceth sulfate is that sodium laureth sulfate is inexpensive and a very effective foaming agent, whereas sodium trideceth sulfate is comparatively an expensive substance and a less effective foaming agent.

The below infographic presents the differences between sodium laureth sulfate and sodium trideceth sulfate in tabular form for side by side comparison.

Summary – Sodium Laureth Sulfate vs Sodium Trideceth Sulfate

The key difference between sodium laureth sulfate and sodium trideceth sulfate is that sodium laureth sulfate is inexpensive and a very effective foaming agent, whereas sodium trideceth sulfate is comparatively an expensive substance and a less effective foaming agent.

Reference:

1. “Sodium Trideceth Sulfate.” Cosmetics Info.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Sodium laureth sulfate structure” By Edgar181 – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia

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