Tea-Lauryl Sulfate

Tea-Lauryl Sulfate is a sulfate anionic surfactant used in cleansing products (often in the low single-digit percent range up to higher levels in shampoos/body washes) and is mechanistically similar to other lauryl sulfates known to disrupt the stratum corneum, increase transepidermal water loss, and trigger irritant contact dermatitis. Human patch-testing and real-world use data consistently show a high irritation potential, especially in eczema-prone or compromised skin, with risk amplified by frequent washing and combination with other actives. Given the predictable barrier disruption and high rate of stinging/erythema in sensitive populations, it warrants a very high irritancy score for patient safety. Safety Notes: TEA-Lauryl Sulfate is primarily used as an anionic surfactant/foaming agent in rinse-off cleansing products; at the low end (~0.5–2%) it appears in mild facial cleansers and low-foam body washes where it is blended with amphoterics/nonionics to reduce irritation. The highest consumer-available levels are seen in hard-working, high-foam shampoos, liquid hand soaps, and clarifying cleansers where total primary anionic surfactant loads are high and TEA-Lauryl Sulfate can reach ~15–25% active in finished products; it is rarely used in leave-on products due to irritation potential and is typically absent or only present at trace levels there.