Is Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate safe in cosmetics?
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate has a safety rating of "MODERATE" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted. 1 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database.
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Also known as: Sulfonic acids, C14-16-alkane hydroxy and C14-16-alkene, sodium salts, Sulfochem AOS-K, Sulfonic acids, C14-16 (even numbered)-alkane hydroxy and C14-16 (even numbered)-alkene, sodium salts, Alkenes, C14-16 α-, sulfonated, sodium salts, EINECS 270-407-8 (+3 more)
INCI: SODIUM C14-16 OLEFIN SULFONATE
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate (CAS 68439-57-6) is a cosmetic surfactant functioning as Surfactant; foaming agent; primary cleanser. Reported NOAEL =2 mg/kg bw/day in Rabbit (ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID); EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database. Same-CAS public records also appear in industrial chemical safety data.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 68439-57-6 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Cross-Vertical Regulatory Divergence
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is classified GHS Danger (H315, H318) in the chemicals database but is allowed in EU cosmetics.
Source: Cosmetics: ingredients.eu_status; Chemicals: ghs_classifications.signal_word/hazard_statement_code
Function
Surfactant; foaming agent; primary cleanser
Safety Rating
MODERATE
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
Sulfonate chemistry avoids 1,4-dioxane concerns associated with ethoxylated surfactants. Excellent performance in hard water. Zein irritation value approximately 2,310 mg/g, between SLS (approximately 3,070) and milder amino acid surfactants (approximately 2,170).
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Toxicological Studies
1 study endpoint found for Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate. NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) values are used to calculate the Margin of Safety per SCCS methodology.
| Endpoint | Value | Route | Species | Study Type | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOAEL | =2 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Rabbit | reproduction developmental | ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID |
ECHA REACH Registration
European Chemicals Agency REACH dossier and Substances of Very High Concern listing.
Registration Type
Full
Tonnage Band
10,000 - 100,000 tonnes
Substance Type
SUBSTANCE
SVHC Candidate
No
Additional Ingredient Properties
6 property records from structured ingredient metadata.
comedogenicity_detail
{"comedogenicity_rating": "0", "irritancy_rating": "4", "skin_type_suitability": "oily,combination", "acne_safe": "caution", "source": "Strong cleanser"}
ecotoxicity
{"biodegradable": "yes", "biodegradation_days": "28-60", "bioaccumulative": "no", "aquatic_toxicity_level": "moderate", "coral_reef_safe": "yes", "marine_toxicity": "moderate aquatic toxicity", "freshwater_toxicity": "moderate toxicity", "endocrine_disruptor": "no", "persistent_organic_pollutant": "no", "microplastic": "no", "nano_particle": "no", "hawaii_banned": "no", "eu_restricted_environmenta…
hair_care
{"hair_function": "cleansing", "hair_type_suitability": "all", "curl_pattern_suitability": "all", "porosity_suitability": "all", "protein_sensitivity": "neutral", "moisture_protein_balance": "no", "cg_method_approved": "not-a-silicone", "silicone_type": "harsh", "sulfate_type": "no", "drying_alcohol": "no", "fatty_alcohol": "no", "heat_protectant": "no", "color_safe": "neutral", "keratin_bond": "y…
ph_stability
{"optimal_ph_min": "6.0", "optimal_ph_max": "9.0", "stable_ph_min": "5.5", "stable_ph_max": "10.0", "degrades_above_ph": "11.0", "degrades_below_ph": "5.0", "ph_dependent_function": "Anionic surfactant", "formulation_note": "Similar to SLS but milder", "source": "Formulation literature"}
sensory
{"silky": "light", "smooth, glides easily": "rich, powerful foam", "dry-touch, non-greasy": "clean, stripped", "instant": "fast", "none": "very-high", "low": "low", "w/o": "o/w", "very-high": "high", "no": "no", "yes": "no", "1.40": "1.48", "transparent": "transparent", "colorless": "colorless", "excellent": "excellent", "light": "light", "synthetic": "synthetic"}
surfactant
{"cas_number": "68439-57-6", "surfactant_type": "anionic", "chemical_class": "sulfonate", "charge_at_use_ph": "negative", "cmc_critical_micelle_concentration_mm": "2.2", "hlb_value": "38.0", "foam_volume_ml_ross_miles": "175", "foam_quality": "dense", "foam_stability_5min_pct": "93", "cleansing_power_rating_1_to_10": "9.3", "oil_emulsification_capacity": "excellent", "sebum_removal_efficiency": "e…
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Cleaning agent
Emulsifier
Foamant
No specific technical function
Processing aids not otherwise specified
Surfactant (surface active agent)
Wetting agent (non-aqueous)
Regulatory List Membership (1)
EPA Safer Chemical Ingredients List (SCIL)
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate.
Regulatory Flags
sulfonate
no-dioxane-risk
moderate-irritant
hard-water-stable
epa_safer_alternative
NOAEL Studies Summary
View details ->Public NOAEL study rows linked to Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate by CAS number or substance name.
Studies
1
Lowest NOAEL
2 mg/kg bw/day
Highest NOAEL
2 mg/kg bw/day
ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID
Known Synonyms
Sulfonic acids, C14-16-alkane hydroxy and C14-16-alkene, sodium salts
Sulfochem AOS-K
Sulfonic acids, C14-16 (even numbered)-alkane hydroxy and C14-16 (even numbered)-alkene, sodium salts
Alkenes, C14-16 α-, sulfonated, sodium salts
EINECS 270-407-8
Sodium C14-16-alkane hydroxy and C14-16-olefin sulfonates
UNII-O9W3D3YF5U
Sodium C14-16 alpha-olefin sulfonate
Chemical Function
Surfactant (surface active agent)
Cleaning agent
Foamant
Processing aids not otherwise specified
Regulatory Lists
fracking; water
inert_ingredient; non_food_use; Pesticides
SCIL (9/2019)
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate allowed in the EU?
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate do in cosmetics?
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate functions as: Surfactant; foaming agent; primary cleanser. It is classified as a Surfactant in our database. CAS number: 68439-57-6.
What is the NOAEL for Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate?
The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is =2 mg/kg bw/day based on a reproduction developmental study via oral route in Rabbit. Source: ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID.
Is Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate used outside cosmetics?
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate also appears in industrial chemical safety data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Does Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate have different safety status in cosmetics vs industrial chemicals?
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is classified GHS Danger (H315, H318) in the chemicals database but is allowed in EU cosmetics.
Compliance Tools
Check Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
Ingredient Decoder
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82 Allergen Checker
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Substance Compliance
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MoS Calculator
Calculate Margin of Safety using SCCS methodology
Heavy Metal Limits
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