Surfactants in Cosmetics
Surfactants are amphiphilic molecules that perform cleansing, foaming, emulsifying, and solubilising roles in cosmetic formulation. Anionic surfactants (SLS, SLES, sulfosuccinates) drive foaming in cleansers; non-ionic surfactants (polysorbates, ethoxylated alcohols) act as emulsifiers; amphoterics (cocamidopropyl betaine) reduce irritation in mild cleansers. Regulatory scrutiny focuses on 1,4-dioxane contamination in ethoxylated surfactants, nitrosamine formation in secondary amine precursors, and skin irritation profiles. This hub lists surfactant ingredients with their safety ratings, sensitization data from HRIPT and LLNA assays, and SCCS opinion references.
No ingredients currently indexed in this category. Data is added continuously as new SCCS opinions and regulatory updates are processed.