Product
Ammonium Lauryl Sulphate
A high-foaming anionic surfactant suitable for a wide range of cleansing formulations.
What is Ammonium Lauryl Sulphate?
Ammonium Lauryl Sulphate, commonly known as ALS, is an anionic surfactant produced by the sulphation of lauryl alcohol, derived from coconut or palm kernel oil, followed by neutralisation with Ammonia. It belongs to the Alkyl Sulphate family and is closely related to Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS), with the ammonium counterion giving it a slightly different solubility and electrolyte sensitivity profile. ALS is typically supplied as a liquid at around 28% to 30% active content, and it’s well established as a primary surfactant in personal care formulations.
What is ALS used for?
ALS is used primarily in rinse-off personal care products where strong cleansing and high foam output are the priority.
In shampoos, it’s a widely used primary surfactant, delivering the vigorous lather that many consumers associate with effective cleansing. Its lower tendency to form insoluble Calcium salts compared to SLS can make it a useful option in products where water hardness can affect performance. In body washes and shower gels, ALS contributes to foam volume and density, while its detergent properties make it effective at removing sebum and residue. You’ll also find it used in liquid hand soaps and some bath products, where the combination of cleansing efficacy and high foam is important. In certain industrial and institutional cleaning formulations, ALS can be incorporated where high-foaming detergency is required.
Key benefits: ALS
Compatibility
ALS works well in combination with amphoteric surfactants like CAPB and non-ionic co-surfactants, allowing you to moderate the overall mildness profile of your formulation without sacrificing foam quality or cleansing efficacy. This makes it a flexible building block in multi-surfactant formulations.
Regulatory standing
ALS is approved for use in cosmetic products across the UK, EU and US markets, and has been reviewed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review. Its long history of use in personal care formulations means there’s a well-established body of safety and regulatory data to draw from.
Solubility
The ammonium counterion gives ALS better cold-water solubility than its sodium equivalent. It also tends to be less sensitive to electrolytes at lower temperatures. That can be a useful property during processing, particularly if your manufacturing conditions or storage temperatures vary.
Cleansing and foaming
ALS delivers high foam volume and good detergency, making it one of the more effective primary surfactants available for rinse-off applications. For manufacturers working on shampoos or body washes where foaming is a key product attribute, it’s a well-proven performer.
Cost-effective
As a mature, widely produced ingredient, ALS offers reliable performance at a competitive cost. For high-volume rinse-off products, where the cost of raw materials is a constant pressure, it’s a commercially sensible choice.
Why source your ALS from MegaChem (UK)?
We supply ALS to manufacturers across the personal care and homecare sectors, backed by a global sourcing network that gives us consistent access to quality-assured material. Our team understands the formulation context. So, whether you need help with technical data, regulatory documentation, or just a straightforward conversation about lead times and order sizes, you’ll get a useful answer rather than a runaround. We’re flexible on volume and packaging, and we’ll work with you to make sure your supply fits your production schedule, rather than the other way around.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between ALS and SLS?
Both are Alkyl Sulphate surfactants with the same carbon chain length, so their cleansing and foam performance is broadly similar. The key difference is the counterion, ammonium versus sodium. ALS tends to have better cold-water solubility and is slightly less sensitive to electrolytes, which can be an advantage in certain formulations or processing conditions. SLS is more commonly used where thickening with salt is part of the formulation strategy.
What is the typical use level of ALS in shampoo formulations?
ALS is typically used at 8% to 15% active in shampoo formulations, though this varies depending on your target foaming profile, the co-surfactant mix, and any requirements for mildness. Your final active level will also depend on whether ALS is the sole primary surfactant or part of a blended formulation.
Can I use ALS in formulations for sensitive skin?
ALS, like other Alkyl Sulphates, is a strong surfactant and can be drying or irritating for some skin types when used at high levels. For sensitive skin applications, it’s usually used at lower concentrations and in combination with milder co-surfactants such as CAPB or APG, to bring the overall potential for irritation down.
Is ALS biodegradable?
Yes. ALS is readily biodegradable, which gives it a reasonable environmental profile relative to some other surfactant classes. It’s worth noting that biodegradability alone may not be sufficient for all your eco-label certifications. If that’s a requirement for your product, we’d recommend reviewing the specific criteria, and we can help with supporting documentation.
What grades and concentrations does MegaChem (UK) supply?
We supply ALS as a liquid, typically at 28% to 30% active content. If you have specific requirements around concentration, purity or any other parameters, get in touch, and we can discuss what’s available.
How should I store and handle ALS?
ALS should be stored in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight and frost. It’s generally considered low hazard under normal handling conditions, but standard GMP principles apply. Full safety data sheets are available on request.
Get your ALS from MegaChem (UK)
If you’re evaluating Ammonium Lauryl Sulphate for a new formulation or looking to review your current supply arrangements, our team is happy to help. We can talk through specifications, availability and samples. Just get in touch.
