Is Ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS) safe for babies and kids?
Elevated risk for kidsInfants are exposed to Ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS) through residues on laundered clothing, baby wipes, and bathing products. Immature skin barrier increases dermal absorption.
What is ammonium lauryl sulfate (als)?
The IUPAC name is azanium dodecyl sulfate.
Also known as: azanium dodecyl sulfate, Ammonium dodecyl sulfate, AMMONIUM LAURYL SULFATE, Presulin.
- IUPAC name
- azanium dodecyl sulfate
- CAS number
- 2235-54-3
- Molecular formula
- C12H29NO4S
- Molecular weight
- 283.43 g/mol
- SMILES
- CCCCCCCCCCCCOS(=O)(=O)[O-].[NH4+]
- PubChem CID
- 16700
Risk for babies
Elevated riskInfants are exposed to Ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS) through residues on laundered clothing, baby wipes, and bathing products. Immature skin barrier increases dermal absorption.
Neonates and infants up to 12 months have incomplete blood-brain barrier development, immature Phase I/II metabolic enzymes (particularly CYP3A4, UGT1A1), and higher gastrointestinal permeability. Equivalent doses produce higher internal concentrations and longer residence times.
Risk for pregnant and nursing people
Context-dependentPrenatal exposure to Ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS) through consumer products may affect fetal development. Surfactant compounds can enhance dermal absorption of co-occurring chemicals during pregnancy.
No specific reproductive toxicity data identified, but pregnancy-specific safety data is limited for most chemicals. Precautionary minimization of exposure is recommended.
Regulatory consensus
1 regulatory bodyhas classified Ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS).
| Agency | Year | Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU_COSMETICS | 2024 | permitted | Permitted in cosmetics. No concentration limit. |
Regulators apply different standards of evidence — animal-data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds — which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. The disagreement is the data.
Where kids encounter ammonium lauryl sulfate (als)
- Personal Care — shampoo, body wash, hand soap, toothpaste
Safer alternatives
Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS):
-
Sodium cocoyl isethionate
Trade-offs: Alternative surfactant; performance characteristics (foaming, emulsification, wetting) vary; biodegradability and aquatic toxicity should be assessed; formulation adjustment may be needed.Relative cost: 1.2-2×
-
Decyl glucoside
Trade-offs: Bio-based (from corn/coconut); mild to skin/eyes; biodegrades rapidly (>99% in 28 days); comparable foaming and cleaning at higher concentration; 15-30% cost premium over SLS; compatible with sensitive-skin formulations.Relative cost: 1.2-2×
Frequently asked questions
Is ammonium lauryl sulfate (als) safe for kids?
Infants are exposed to Ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS) through residues on laundered clothing, baby wipes, and bathing products. Immature skin barrier increases dermal absorption.
What products contain ammonium lauryl sulfate (als)?
Ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS) appears in: shampoo (Personal care); body wash (Personal care).
What should I do if my child is exposed to ammonium lauryl sulfate (als)?
Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.
See Ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS) in the baby app
Look up products containing ammonium lauryl sulfate (als), compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.
Open in baby View raw API dataSources (1)
- PubChem Compound Database (2026) — database
Reference data, not professional advice. Aggregates publicly available regulatory and scientific data; not a substitute for veterinary, medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Why we built ALETHEIA →