Sodium Laureth-6 Carboxylate is a very mild, high-foaming anionic surfactant from the alkyl ether carboxylate family, designed as a gentler alternative to classic sulfates such as SLS/SLES in shampoos and facial cleansers.
It behaves as a so‑called "crypto‑anionic" surfactant: at acidic pH it is largely non‑ionic and exceptionally mild to the skin barrier, while at neutral to alkaline pH it provides strong detergency and foam comparable to conventional anionics. This pH‑dependent behavior allows formulators to tune cleansing vs. mildness simply by adjusting the formula pH.
Compared with traditional sulfates, Sodium Laureth-6 Carboxylate offers much lower irritation, better compatibility with conditioning polymers, and excellent hard‑water tolerance, making it suitable for sensitive skin, baby products and sulfate‑free cleansing systems.
Product Description: Mild "crypto‑anionic" cleansing surfactant (alkyl ether carboxylate) supplied as an aqueous solution. At low pH (≈4–5.5) it behaves more like a non‑ionic surfactant, giving creamy, low‑irritation foam suitable for facial cleansers and baby washes. As pH increases toward neutral/alkaline ranges it behaves more strongly anionic, boosting detergency and foam height in shampoos and body washes. It shows good hard‑water stability and is compatible with typical amphoteric, non‑ionic and many cationic conditioning polymers, enabling sulfate‑free or low‑sulfate systems with a soft, conditioned after‑feel.
Usage: Primary or secondary surfactant in sulfate‑free or low‑sulfate shampoos, facial cleansers, micellar waters, body washes and baby cleansing products. Useful where high foam and good rinse‑off are required with lower irritation than SLS/SLES.
Mixing method:
- Add to the aqueous/surfactant phase with gentle stirring; combine with amphoteric (e.g., Cocamidopropyl Betaine) and non‑ionic surfactants to optimize foam creaminess and mildness.
- For face wash and micellar formulas, target pH about 4.5–6 to emphasize mild, non‑ionic‑like behavior while maintaining effective cleansing.
- For shampoo and body wash, pH 5–7 gives strong foam and detergency while keeping irritation low compared with sulfate systems. Avoid very strong acids/bases and keep processing temperatures in the surfactant phase typically below 40°C.
Usage rate: 1–30% in rinse‑off cleansers (about 5–20% when used as a primary surfactant; about 1–10% when used as a co‑surfactant to boost foam and reduce irritation of harsher anionics).
Product characteristics: Clear to slightly hazy liquid surfactant concentrate; low to moderate viscosity; faint characteristic odor.
Solubility: Readily soluble in water and typical surfactant bases; stable in hard water; miscible with many glycols and compatible with amphoteric and non‑ionic surfactants.
