Formulating effective and consumer-pleasing cleansing products requires a deep understanding of surfactant properties. Alpha Olefin Sulfonate (AOS) is a leading ingredient that empowers formulators to achieve both high performance and desirable mildness. This guide explores how to best leverage AOS in your formulations.

Understanding AOS Properties for Formulation:

  • Mildness: AOS is renowned for its low irritation potential, making it a primary choice for sensitive skin products like shampoos, body washes, and facial cleansers.
  • Foaming: It generates a rich, stable, and luxurious lather, enhancing the user's sensory experience. This high foaming capability is consistent even in hard water, a distinct advantage over some other surfactants.
  • Detergency & Emulsification: AOS excels at lifting and dispersing dirt, oil, and grime, ensuring thorough cleaning. Its emulsifying properties are crucial for creating stable formulations.
  • Compatibility: AOS exhibits excellent compatibility with other surfactant types, including anionic, non-ionic, and amphoteric co-surfactants. This allows for synergistic blending to optimize performance and cost.
  • pH Stability: Its stability across a wide pH range (acidic to alkaline) provides formulation flexibility, enabling its use in specialized products.
  • Biodegradability: As an environmentally friendly ingredient, AOS readily biodegrades, aligning with the growing demand for sustainable products.

Formulation Tips:

  • Sulfate-Free Products: AOS is an excellent primary surfactant for sulfate-free shampoos and body washes, delivering excellent cleansing and foaming without the use of sulfates.
  • Synergistic Blends: Combining AOS with ingredients like LAS or fatty alcohol ethoxylates can enhance overall detergency, foam profile, and cost-effectiveness.
  • Viscosity Building: While AOS itself is not a primary viscosity builder, it can contribute to formulation viscosity when used with thickeners or specific co-surfactants like fatty alcohol monoethanolamides or amine oxides.
  • Hard Water Performance: Its inherent resistance to hard water makes it ideal for regions with challenging water supplies, ensuring consistent product performance.

Manufacturers like NINGBO INNO PHARMCHEM CO.,LTD. provide high-quality AOS, ensuring consistent performance and purity for formulators. By strategically incorporating AOS, product developers can create innovative cleansing products that meet high standards for efficacy, mildness, and environmental responsibility.