Next Article in Journal
An Interfacial Study of Sucrose Ester-Stabilized Water-Free Foams
Next Article in Special Issue
Correction: Su, E.; Herman, S. Beyond Sulfate-Free Personal Cleansing Technology. Cosmetics 2025, 12, 14
Previous Article in Journal
A Case Series Report on Superficial Application of Polydensified Cohesive Matrix Hyaluronic Acid Through Biopsies
Previous Article in Special Issue
Examining How Diet and Lifestyle Influence Skin Appearance through a Common Risk Factor: Excess Iron—A Comprehensive Review
 
 
Correction published on 13 March 2025, see Cosmetics 2025, 12(2), 49.
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Review

Beyond Sulfate-Free Personal Cleansing Technology

1
Sino Lion USA, Florham Park, NJ 07932, USA
2
James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical/Cosmetic Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Uptown Campus, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Cosmetics 2025, 12(1), 14; https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics12010014
Submission received: 19 September 2024 / Revised: 18 December 2024 / Accepted: 6 January 2025 / Published: 21 January 2025 / Corrected: 13 March 2025

Abstract

There is a strong global demand for sulfate-free personal cleansing products. The objective of sulfate-free personal cleansing technology should not be aimed solely at the absence of “sulfate” wording in the list of ingredients, but on the true benefits both in personal use and in environmental effects. These include but are not limited to safety, mildness, and sensory effect for the individual and renewability, low carbon footprint, low water footprint, biodegradability, and sustainability for the environment. In addition, some surfactants or their precursors contain 1,4-dioxane as a by-product of their manufacturing, which is a major safety concern. This paper will deal with sulfate-free cleansing in two parts. Part I will examine the issues surrounding sulfates. Part II will show the benefits of amino acid-based surfactants for cleansing products, and specifically show why glutamates and alaninates are the best choices for safer and more efficacious cleansing. Several metrics will be included to support these conclusions.
Keywords: sulfate-free; amino acid-based surfactant; glutamates; alaninates; personal cleansing; 1,4-dioxane; sustainability; biodegradability; natural origin index sulfate-free; amino acid-based surfactant; glutamates; alaninates; personal cleansing; 1,4-dioxane; sustainability; biodegradability; natural origin index

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Su, E.; Herman, S. Beyond Sulfate-Free Personal Cleansing Technology. Cosmetics 2025, 12, 14. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics12010014

AMA Style

Su E, Herman S. Beyond Sulfate-Free Personal Cleansing Technology. Cosmetics. 2025; 12(1):14. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics12010014

Chicago/Turabian Style

Su, Evelyn, and Stephen Herman. 2025. "Beyond Sulfate-Free Personal Cleansing Technology" Cosmetics 12, no. 1: 14. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics12010014

APA Style

Su, E., & Herman, S. (2025). Beyond Sulfate-Free Personal Cleansing Technology. Cosmetics, 12(1), 14. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics12010014

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop