This article mainly introduces the commonly used surfactants in cosmetics. Visit https://www.alfa-chemistry.com/products/surfactant-124.htm for more information.

1. Commonly Used Surfactants in Cosmetics
The composition of cosmetic formulations is diverse and complex. In addition to oil and water,
the raw materials of cosmetics include various functional surfactants, preservatives, fragrances
and pigments. Surfactants are indispensable raw materials in cosmetics and have a wide range of
applications in cosmetics such as emulsification, dispersion, solubilization, foaming, cleaning,
lubrication and softening. As the demand for cosmetic dosage forms and functions increases, the
variety of surfactants used in cosmetics is also increasing. Surfactants used in cosmetics should
be non-irritating and non-toxic, and must also be colorless, highly stable and have no unpleasant
odor.
The function of the surfactant is mainly to change the properties of the liquid surface,
liquid-liquid interface and liquid-solid interface, wherein changing the surface properties of the
liquid is the most important function. Surfactants can reduce the surface tension of the solvent
and can cause significant changes in the surface of the solvent. Surfactants can be classified into
anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, and nonionic surfactants
depending on whether the surfactants can be dissociated in aqueous solution and the type of
charge they carried after dissociation.
Anionic surfactant
Anionic surfactants commonly used in cosmetics include fatty acid soaps, sodium lauryl sulfate,
sodium laureth polyoxyethylene ether sulfate, sodium cetyl polyoxyethylene ether phosphate,
and soybean phospholipids (lecithin). Such surfactants are characterized by strong detergency
and are mainly used for cleaning, wetting, emulsifying and foaming in cosmetics.
Cationic surfactants
Cationic surfactants are mainly primary, secondary, tertiary amines and quaternary ammonium
salts of higher alkyl groups, such as octadecyltrimethylammonium chloride, C12-14 alkyl
dimethylbenzylammonium chloride, double ten Octamethyldimethyl chloride, etc. These cationic
surfactants are characterized by good bactericidal and antistatic properties, and have softening,
antistatic, waterproof and fixing effects in cosmetics.
Amphoteric surfactants
Amphoteric surfactants commonly used in cosmetics include cocamidopropyl betaine,
imidazoline and the like. Amphoteric surfactants are characterized by good laundering properties,
mildness, low toxicity and low irritation to the skin and eyes, and good biodegradability.
Amphoteric surfactants are often used in combination with anionic or cationic surfactants. They
have good compatibility and generally produce synergistic effects. Amphoteric surfactants have
softening, antistatic, emulsifying, dispersing and sterilizing effects in cosmetics.
Nonionic surfactants
Non-ionic surfactants commonly used in cosmetics are mainly ethylene oxide adduct,
polyoxyethylene lauryl ether, coco fatty acid diethanol amide, oleic acid monoglyceride,
polyoxyethylated castor oil, and ethoxylated lanolin. Nonionic surfactants are non-irritating to the
skin, have good emulsifying property, solubilization property and stability, and have good

2. compatibility with other types of surfactants. Nonionic surfactants are the most widely used
surfactants in cosmetics.
Surfactants are important ingredients in cosmetics and play an important role in the
development of the cosmetics industry. Today, users have higher requirements for the structure,
type, performance and manufacturing technology of surfactants. Therefore, in the production
process of surfactants, we should try to use natural raw materials and avoid using chemical
materials that are irritating to the skin. It is believed that the development of green,
environmentally friendly surfactants will greatly facilitate the development of cosmetics with new
functions.