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Is there a difference between Olefin Sulfonate & Sodium C14-18 Olefin Sulfonate?
  • Indi-Curl
    I have a shampoo that uses Olefin Sulfonate as a cleansing ingredient. It claims to be mild, but I read on some hair care sites that Sodium C14-18 Olefin Sulfonate is just as irritating/drying as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. Is plain old Olefin Sulfonate the same as these other forms I've read about such as Sodium C14-18 Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium Alpha Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium C12-14 Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium C16-18 Olefin Sulfonate, and Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate? This product doesn't seem to be very drying to me, but I was curious as to whether there was a difference between the ingredient listed on my product and these other similar sounding ingredients.

    Also, if it is a mild cleanser, is it sufficient to remove silicone buildup? Are other SLS alternatives like Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate & Cocamidopropyl Betaine milder, and if so, are they sufficient to remove silicone buildup?

    Thanks!
  • liobov
    Olefin Sulfonate is a shorter name for Sodium Alpha-Olefin Sulfonates which can have chain lengths C12-14, C14-16, C14-18, and C16-18. These are mixtures of long chain sulfonate salts prepared by the sulfonation of alpha olefins. The numbers indicate the average lengths of the carbon chains of the alpha olefins.

    Nonanoic tensides as Cocamides, Polysorbates, Decyl glucoside are usually perceived as the mildest surfactants. Betaine is another form of sufracant but is also considered to be very mild. Cocamidopropyl betaine is a derivate of cocamide and glycine betaine (a form of betaine). So that particular surfactant is probably one of the most gentle on the market. Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate on other hand is an anionic tenside, so it's usually perceived to be one of the more "harsher" ones.

    However one should never stare on ingredients alone but look on the whole formulation. Cosmetic manufactures usually mix gentle and "harsh" ingredients together to achieve a formulation that have desired cleaning strength but is as little irritating as possible. Products with large dose of those "harsh" surfactants also often have a good dose of special anti-irritants on order to minimize the negative side effects.

    I have a very sensitive scalp so personally I try to use as gentle shampoos as I can get. Sure they are a bit less "deep cleaning". But those rare times I need to remove a particular "sticky" product, (like an overdose of silicone) I just wash my head twice. Like that old slogan, "rinse and repeat" :cool:
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