Alpha olefin sulfonate features excellent cleaning and degreasing properties, a strong wetting effect, a foam booster, slight viscosity enhancer. It’s compatible with other surfactants, including amphoteric and non-ionic co-surfactants.

It’s gentle on the skin, without drying effects, which makes it ideal for making sulfate-free cleansing products. Those features, along with decent biodegradability, lead to the high popularity of alpha olefin sulfonate as a cosmetic ingredient. In general, non-sulfate anionic surfactants are gradually becoming the prime solution for use in personal care cleansing products, particularly for scalp and hair care.

The most common aos used in cosmetics is sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate. This multifunctional variety can act as a detergent, emulsifier, and wetting agent. Properly formulated, it enhances viscosity, foaming properties, and the production of a stable lather.

Alpha olefin sulfonate is a chemical compound composed of long-chain sulfonate salts made by the process of sulfonation of alpha-olefins. Alpha-olefin sulfonate is produced by oligomerization of ethylene, or by Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. The process is followed by purification. 

Alpha olefin sulfonate’s primary use is in washing powder, liquid detergents, and soaps. Other applications include the textile, printing, and dyeing industries as well as the petrochemical industry. Alpha olefin sulfonate is additionally used as an industrial foaming agent, wetting agent, concrete density improver, and pesticide emulsifier. 

Alpha olefin sulfonate is commonly used as a surfactant in personal care products, such as sulfate-free shampoo, liquid and bar soaps, hand sanitizers, bath lotions, bubble baths, and facial cleansers, as well as in various household products such as dishwashing liquids and vehicle wash liquids.