Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLS) and Ammonium Laureth Sulphate (ALS) are two widely used anionic surfactants that are very similar in chemical structure, with the main difference being their cationic portion; SLS carries sodium ions while ALS carries ammonium ions. Both compounds play a key role in personal care, household cleaning and technical applications due to their excellent cleansing, emulsifying and foaming properties.
Applications in personal care products: In personal care products such as shampoos, body washes, toothpastes and shaving creams, SLS and ALS effectively remove grease and dirt. Their foaming ability provides a rich lather that enhances the user experience. In addition, they help emulsify oil and water insoluble ingredients for a more homogeneous and stable product.
Applications in Household Cleaning Products: In household cleaning products such as detergents, laundry detergents and cleaners, SLS and ALSs provide deep cleaning on a variety of surfaces to remove tough stains. Their ability to remove stains makes cleaning more efficient, while also providing a good lather to make the cleaning process more enjoyable.
In technical applications, SLS and ALS are used as emulsifiers, dispersants and stabilizers. For example, in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries, they can help mix different ingredients to form homogeneous mixtures. In addition, they can be used as industrial cleaners to remove oil and carbon deposits from machinery and equipment.