Sulfate-Free Cross Reference for Personal Care


The following information is provided to assist in product recommendation associated with Stepan’s “sulfate-free”
surfactants and blends for Personal Care applications. It outlines flash foam, Biorenewable Carbon Index, and other
surfactant properties of a select group of Stepan surfactants compared to competitive chemistries in the market place
today. Stepan defines a product to be “sulfate-free” if it does not contain Alkyl Sulfates and Alkyl Ether Sulfates as per INCI
nomenclature. This definition does not include inorganic sulfates, e.g. Sodium Sulfate formed as a by-product. Two
representative sulfate products are noted for comparison purposes.
Stepan Trade Name
INCI Name
Actives (%)
Form at 25°C
Shake Foam
without oil (ml)
Shake Foam
with oil (ml)
Biorenewable
Carbon Index
CMC (mg/L)
STEPANOL® WA-EXTRA*
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
29
Liquid
313
225
100
185
STEOL® CS-230*
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
26
Liquid
400
370
67
171
ALPHA-STEP® PC-48
Sodium Methyl
2-Sulfolaurate,
Disodium 2-Sulfolaurate
39
Liquid
275
250
94
177
BIO-TERGE® AS-40
Sodium C14-16 Olefin
Sulfonate
39
Liquid
550
350
0
301
65
Solid
375
343
86
131
LATHANOL® LAL POWDER Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
STEPAN-MILD® LSB
Sodium Lauryl
Sulfoacetate, Disodium
Laureth Sulfosuccinate
25
Liquid
413
373
64
105
STEPAN-MILD® PCL
Sodium Methyl
2-Sulfolaurate,
Disodium 2-Sulfolaurate,
Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
23
Liquid
448
430
90
65
Competitive Product
Coco-Glucoside
50
Liquid
332
175
NE
30
Competitive Product
Disodium Cocoyl
Glutamate, Sodium Cocoyl
Glutamate
25
Liquid
125
115
NE
226
Competitive Product
Potassium Laureth-1
Phosphate
35
Liquid
257
175
NE
36
Competitive Product
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
25
Liquid
202
105
NE
334
Competitive Product
Sodium Cocoyl
Isethionate
80
Solid
275
230
NE
84
Competitive Product
Sodium Lauroyl Methyl
Isethionate
80
Solid
285
178
NE
104
Competitive Product
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl
Taurate
25
Solid
310
275
NE
101
*These products do not meet Stepan’s definition of sulfate-free as defined above.
NE - Not Evaluated

The information on the following pages reflect a system containing 12% active of the noted surfactant and 3%
active of AMPHOSOL® HCA (Cocamidopropyl Betaine). This includes appearance, foaming, and sensory properties.
A 12% active surfactant to 3% active Betaine ratio is typical of conventional sulfate systems. Use levels and ratios of
sulfate-free systems will vary.
Surfactant System Properties
Stepan Trade Name
INCI Name
Form
at 25°C
Appearance
at 25°C
Viscosity, cps
at 25°C
ALPHA-STEP® PC-48
Sodium Methyl
2-Sulfolaurate,
Disodium 2-Sulfolaurate
Thin Liquid
Clear
<200
BIO-TERGE® AS-40
Sodium C14-16 Olefin
Sulfonate
Thin Liquid
Clear
<200
Thick Paste
Opaque
12,000
LATHANOL® LAL POWDER Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
STEPAN-MILD® LSB
Sodium Lauryl
Sulfoacetate, Disodium
Laureth Sulfosuccinate
Thin Liquid
Clear
<200
STEPAN-MILD® PCL
Sodium Methyl
2-Sulfolaurate,
Disodium 2-Sulfolaurate,
Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
Gel
Clear
20,000
Competitive Product
Coco-Glucoside
Thin Liquid
Hazy
<200
Competitive Product
Disodium Cocoyl
Glutamate, Sodium Cocoyl
Glutamate
Thin Liquid
Clear
<200
Competitive Product
Potassium Laureth-1
Phosphate
Gel
Clear
22,000
Competitive Product
Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate
Thin Liquid
Opaque
<200
Competitive Product
Sodium Cocoyl
Isethionate
Paste
Opaque
4,450
Competitive Product
Sodium Lauroyl Methyl
Isethionate
Paste
Opaque
6,250
Competitive Product
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl
Taurate
Thin Liquid
Hazy
<200

Foam Appearance and Sensory Properties
5g surfactant system dispensed onto a wet
pouf and squeezed 7 times with both hands
(5 panelists). Foam appearance, foam feel,
skin feel and risibility was observed.
Sodium Cocoyl
Isethionate



Fine, stable bubbles
Creamy foam feel
Skin feels moisturized
Coco-Glucoside
Sodium Cocoyl
Isethionate
Sodium Lauroyl
Methyl Isethionate


Sodium Lauroyl Methyl
Isethionate


Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate,
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Large and small bubbles
Creamy foam feel
Tacky skin feel
Rinses easily
Potassium Laureth-1
Phosphate
Sodium Methyl
Cocoyl Taurate



Large bubbles
Airy to creamy foam feel
Rinses easily
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl
Taurate
The significant attributes were noted for skin feel and risibility. For additional
information, please contact Stepan U.S. Technical Service at [email protected].

Sodium Cocoyl
Glycinate
ALPHA-STEP® PC-48

Coco-Glucoside






Small bubbles
Dry, airy foam feel
Tacky skin feel
Rinses easily
Small bubbles
Airy foam feel
Rinses easily
ALPHA-STEP® PC-48
BIO-TERGE® AS-40


Disodium Cocoyl
Glutamate, Sodium
Cocoyl Glutamate




Small and large bubbles
Creamy foam feel
Skin not dry
Rinses easily

BIO-TERGE® AS-40
LATHANOL®
LAL Powder


Potassium Laureth-1
Phosphate




Small bubbles
Creamy foam feel
Skin not dry
Rinses easily

LATHANOL
LAL Powder
STEPAN-MILD® LSB






Very fine, stable bubbles
Creamy foam feel
Skin not dry
®

Sodium Cocoyl
Glycinate
Small bubbles
Creamy foam feel
Skin feels moisturized

Fine bubbles
Stable foam
Creamy foam feel
Skin not dry
STEPAN-MILD® LSB
Small and large bubbles
Creamy and airy foam feel
Skin not dry
Rinses easily
STEPAN-MILD® PCL




STEPAN-MILD® PCL
Quick flash foam
Small bubbles
Creamy foam feel
Skin not dry
Foaming Properties
Shake Foam Test (0.2% active solution at 25°C)
Shake Foam: This method evaluates the initial foam generation (flash foam) of a surfactant in solution
as well as foam stability (after 5 minutes). The test simulates the generation of foam via agitation of
the test solution and then is repeated with the addition of oil.
Stepan Sulfate-free Surfactants and Surfactant Blends provide equivalent or improved foam volume
compared to the competitive surfactants listed above.

Zein Score: Amount of Zein protein solubilized by a given surfactant compared to the amount
solubilized by Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS). The Zein Score for SLS is 100. The less protein solubilized,
the milder the surfactant.
There are many sulfate-free surfactants in the marketplace; most of them are mild. Differences may be
seen in lather and sensory attributes.
Stepan Sulfate-free Surfactants and Surfactant Blends provide equivalent to improved foam and skin
feel attributes compared to the competitive surfactants noted in this document.
LATHANOL® LAL products give a rich, luxurious lather.
ALPHA-STEP® PC-48 is a methyl ester sulfonate-based surfactant- your top Stepan surfactant choice
when you want high foam volume and quick rinsing.
BIO-TERGE® AS-40 is a cost-effective, high-foaming surfactant to consider for non-natural Personal Care
cleansing products.
STEPAN-MILD® PCL and STEPAN-MILD® LSB are easy-to-handle, high-performing blends.

Biorenewable Carbon Index (BCI): The BCI is a value based on the percent carbon derived from a biorenewable
resource. Biorenewable is defined by Stepan as originating from animal, plant or marine material. BCI is calculated
by taking the number of biorenewable carbons divided by the total number of carbons in the idealized molecule,
multiplied by 100.
Critical Micelle Concentration (CMC): The minimum amount of surfactant needed to form a stable micelle. Stable
micelles are required to form emulsions. It is an emulsion that captures dirt and oil and carries it away from the
surface being cleaned. It is important to be above the CMC to maximize the formulations cleaning ability.
For technical assistance contact:
Stepan Company USA
Stepan COLOMBIA
Tel: ++1-800-745-7837
Tel: ++571-636-2808
Fax: ++1-847-446-3925
Fax: ++571-636-2815/2816
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
Stepan CANADA Inc.
Stepan ASIA
Tel: ++1-705-330-3367
Tel: ++656 879 9855
Fax: ++1-705-326-4523
Fax: ++656 879 9870
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
Stepan MEXICO
Stepan PHILIPPINES
Tel: +55-11-5089-2208
Tel: ++63-43-727-2828
Fax: +55-11-5539-4587
Fax: ++63-43-727-2831
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected], [email protected]
Stepan QUIMICA
Stepan EUROPE
Tel: ++55-11-5089-2200
Tel: ++33-476-505-160
Fax: ++55-11-5539-4587
Email: [email protected]
© 2014 Stepan Company. All rights reserved.
Nothing contained herein grants or extends a license, expressed or implied, in connection with patents, issued or pending, of the manufacturer or others. The information
contained herein is based on the manufacturer’s own study and the work of others. The manufacturer makes no warranties, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness,
or adequacy of the information contained herein. THE MANUFACTURER SHALL NOT BE LIABLE (REGARDLESS OF FAULT) TO THE VENDEE’S EMPLOYEES, OR ANYONE
FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS ADEQUACY OR
FURNISHING OF SUCH INFORMATION.
ALPHA-STEP®, AMPHOSOL®, BIO-TERGE®, LATHANOL®, STEPAN-MILD®, STEOL® and STEPANOL® are registered trademarks of Stepan Company.
