surfactant

Sodium (C14-16) alpha olefin sulfonate (Bio-Terge AS40)

INCI: Sodium (C14-16) alpha olefin sulfonate

What is it?

This surfactant, commonly called AOS, is made by reacting petroleum-derived alpha olefins with sulfur trioxide, then neutralizing the result to a sodium salt. Despite the similar-sounding name, it's chemically different from sulfate surfactants like sodium lauryl sulfate: AOS is a sulfonate, meaning sulfur attaches...

How is it used?

Add it to the water phase. It performs across a broader pH range than amino-acid surfactants, without their pH-sensitivity concerns.

Forms

Available forms and grades affect how this ingredient behaves and how it should be selected for a formula.

Appearance

Color, texture, and physical characteristics can vary between suppliers and product grades.

Usage rate

Recommended incorporation levels depend on product type, supplier guidance, and the intended result.

Why we use it

Formulators choose this ingredient for specific performance, sensory, and stability benefits.

Strengths and limitations

Its advantages, compatibility considerations, and practical tradeoffs should be weighed during development.

Alternatives and substitutions

Possible replacements depend on the ingredient's role, desired skin feel, and formulation system.

Storage and shelf life

Appropriate storage conditions help protect quality and performance throughout the ingredient's usable life.

Sodium (C14-16) alpha olefin sulfonate (Bio-Terge AS40)

What is it?

How is it used?

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