Alpha-Olefin Sulfonates (AOS) is a type of non-sulfate anionic surfactant widely used today in shampoos and other bath products due to its skin mildness, cleaning and foaming characteristics and its ability to mix well with water to remove dirt and oils.
Alpha olefin sulfonate features excellent cleaning and degreasing properties, strong wetting effect, foam booster, slight viscosity enhancer. It’s compatible with other surfactants, including amphoteric and non-ionic co-surfactants.
It’s gentle on the skin, without drying effects, which makes it ideal for making sulfate-free cleansing products. Those features, along with decent biodegradability, lead to the high popularity of Alpha olefin sulfonate as a cosmetic ingredient. In general, non-sulfate anionic surfactants are gradually becoming the prime solution for use in personal care cleansing products, particularly for scalp and hair care.