Used primarily as a surfactant and anionic detergent in industrial and laboratory applications. It effectively reduces surface tension in aqueous solutions, making it useful in emulsification, dispersion, and wetting processes. Commonly employed in the preparation of reverse micelles for solubilizing proteins and enzymes in nonpolar solvents. Also utilized in membrane protein studies due to its ability to mimic lipid environments and stabilize transmembrane proteins. Found in some cosmetic and personal care formulations as a cleansing and foaming agent, though less common due to its strong detergency. Plays a role in analytical chemistry, particularly in ion-pairing techniques and chromatography.