Ammonium Laureth Sulfate

ah-MOH-nee-um LOR-eth SUL-fate

Surfactant 5/10 Safety Not CGAvoid Synthetic Vegan

What Is Ammonium Laureth Sulfate?

An anionic surfactant related to both SLES and ALS. Ethoxylated for slightly milder cleansing than ammonium lauryl sulfate while still providing strong lather and cleansing.

Source: Coconut or palm kernel oil (chemically processed with ethylene oxide)

Origin: Synthetic

Also known as: ALES

What Does Ammonium Laureth Sulfate Do to Your Hair?

Provides strong cleansing with copious lather while being somewhat milder than ALS or SLS due to ethoxylation. Still strips natural oils more aggressively than sulfate-free alternatives. Popular in commercial shampoos for its cost-effectiveness.

Best For

Oily hair, normal hair, buildup removal

Not Recommended For

Curly hair, dry hair, color-treated hair, sensitive scalp

Concentration Matters

5-20% in shampoos

Hair Type Compatibility

1A Straight Fine
1B Straight Medium
1C Straight Coarse
2A Wavy Fine
2B Wavy Medium
2C Wavy Coarse
3A Curly Loose
3B Curly Tight
3C Curly Corkscrew
4A Coily S-Shaped
4B Coily Z-Shaped
4C Coily Tight
Color-treated: Use caution

Method Compatibility

Curly Girl (CG) Method: Avoid
CG Avoid

Safety & Regulation

5/10
AvoidCautionSafe

Milder than ALS or SLS but still a sulfate. Can cause dryness and color fading with regular use. The ethoxylation process introduces the potential for 1,4-dioxane contamination. Not ideal for daily use on most hair types.

FDA Status: Generally Recognized As Safe

FDA permits use in cosmetics. Ethoxylated so 1,4-dioxane contamination controls apply.

EWG Score: 4/10

HairAide Verdict

Another sulfate variant that most hair types would benefit from avoiding for daily use. Slightly milder than ALS but still too stripping for curly, dry, or color-treated hair. Save for occasional clarifying.

Products That Contain Ammonium Laureth Sulfate

Commercial shampoos, body washes, bubble baths

Alternatives to Ammonium Laureth Sulfate

If you want to avoid Ammonium Laureth Sulfate, look for products with these ingredients instead:

Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Decyl Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Betaine

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ammonium Laureth Sulfate safe for hair?

Ammonium Laureth Sulfate has a safety rating of 5/10. It's generally acceptable but may cause issues for some hair types. Milder than ALS or SLS but still a sulfate. Can cause dryness and color fading with regular use. The ethoxylation process introduces the potential for 1,4-dioxane contamination. Not ideal for daily use on most hair types.

Is Ammonium Laureth Sulfate bad for curly hair?

Ammonium Laureth Sulfate is not CG-method approved. Curly hair types may want to avoid this ingredient or use products containing it sparingly.

Is Ammonium Laureth Sulfate CG-method approved?

No, Ammonium Laureth Sulfate is not approved for the Curly Girl method.

What can I use instead of Ammonium Laureth Sulfate?

Some alternatives to Ammonium Laureth Sulfate include: Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Decyl Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Betaine

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