TEA-Lauryl Sulfate
TEA-Lauryl Sulfate is a mild foaming cleanser commonly used in shampoos, body washes and facial cleansers. It helps create a rich lather that effectively lifts away dirt, oil and product build-up while being gentler than harsher sulphates. Shoppers often see it listed towards the middle of ingredient lists in affordable UK high-street and salon haircare and shower products.
How it works in skincare
In cosmetics and skincare, TEA-Lauryl Sulfate acts as a surfactant and foaming agent. It works by lowering the surface tension of water, allowing oils and impurities to be emulsified and rinsed away easily. The triethanolamine component helps balance the pH and improves the mildness compared with straight lauryl sulphate, making it a popular choice in foaming facial washes, shampoos and bubble baths where creamy lather and effective cleansing are desired without excessive stripping.
Key benefits
- Creates rich, luxurious foam
- Effectively removes excess oil and impurities
- Improves spreadability of cleansers
- Rinses cleanly without heavy residue
- Enhances the sensory experience of wash-off products
- Works well in both hair and body formulations
Best for
normal skin, oily skin, combination skin, acne-prone skin
Where it comes from
The lauryl portion is derived from lauric acid found in coconut oil or palm kernel oil. It is then reacted with sulphuric acid and neutralised with triethanolamine to form the final surfactant used in cosmetic formulations.
Products with TEA-Lauryl Sulfate
Not every product on UK Lips lists a full ingredient breakdown — so there may be many more formulas that contain TEA-Lauryl Sulfate than we can show here. These are the comparisons where we’ve confirmed it in the listed ingredients.