Ingredient decoder

Ammonium lauryl sulfate: is it comedogenic? What it does in skincare

INCI name: Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate

Acne verdict Moderate clog risk

Rated a pore-clogger

  • ComedogenicNo published rating
  • IrritancyNo published rating

What it does

Strong foaming cleanser, a close relative of SLS.

  • Cleansing
  • Foaming
  • Surfactant

Ammonium lauryl sulfate in plain English

Ammonium lauryl sulfate is a strong foaming cleanser closely related to sodium lauryl sulfate. It can irritate skin, especially in leave-on products. Keep in mind these ratings come from old rabbit-ear tests of the raw ingredient, which can overstate the risk of a small amount in a finished product.

Is ammonium lauryl sulfate bad for acne?

It can be. Ammonium lauryl sulfate has a moderate clog risk rating for acne-prone skin. It has no score of its own in Fulton's 1989 table and is flagged on classic comedogenic lists, often because of its chemical family. If you break out easily, check where it sits on the ingredient list: the higher it appears, the more of it the product usually contains.

Why it is flagged: A close relative of SLS. Can irritate in leave-on products.

Clean routine and still breaking out? The cause may be internal. See what is driving it

Also called

  • Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate
  • Ammonium lauryl sulphate
  • ALS

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Frequently asked questions

Is ammonium lauryl sulfate comedogenic?

Ammonium lauryl sulfate has no score of its own in Fulton's 1989 rabbit-ear table, but it is flagged as a pore-clogger on classic comedogenic lists. A close relative of SLS. Can irritate in leave-on products.

What does ammonium lauryl sulfate do in skincare?

In short: strong foaming cleanser, a close relative of SLS. In formulas it is used for cleansing, foaming and surfactant.

What else is ammonium lauryl sulfate called on ingredient labels?

On ingredient lists, ammonium lauryl sulfate can also appear as Ammonium lauryl sulphate or ALS.

Sources