Summary of Common Surfactant Abbreviations

Introduction

Surfactants are essential components in cosmetics, widely used for cleansing, emulsifying, dispersing, wetting, and foam formation.
Depending on the type of hydrophilic group, surfactants can be categorized into anionic, cationic, amphoteric, and nonionic surfactants.

Today, let’s review some commonly used surfactant abbreviations, which can help you quickly recognize and reference specific surfactants when reading technical documents or formulation data.

Anionic Surfactants

Anionic surfactants, also known as anionic detergents, mainly refer to linear alkylbenzene sulfonates and alkyl sulfate-type compounds.
They can be categorized into four main groups: carboxylates, sulfate esters, sulfonates, and phosphate esters.
These surfactants possess excellent detergency, foaming, dispersing, emulsifying, and wetting properties, and are widely used as detergents, foaming agents, wetting agents, emulsifiers, and dispersants.

Common Anionic Surfactant Abbreviations:

• Sodium α-Olefin Sulfonate — AOS

• Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate — AESA-70

• Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate — K12A-70

• Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate — K12A-28

• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate — K12

• Lauryl Phosphate — MAP-85

• Potassium Lauryl Phosphate — MAP-K

• Triethanolamine Lauryl Phosphate — MAP-A

• Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate — MES

• Sodium Laureth Sulfate (2EO) — AES-2EO-70

• Triethanolamine Lauryl Sulfate — TEXAPON T42

• Sodium Secondary Alkane Sulfonate — SAS-60

• Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate — SCI-85

• Sodium N-Lauroyl Sarcosinate — Medialan LD-30

• Sodium Cocoyl Methyl Taurate — Hostapon CT

• Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate — Hostapon CLG

• Magnesium Amide Ether Sulfate — Ganapol AMG

• Sodium Laureth Carboxylate — Sandopan LS-24

Cationic Surfactants

Cationic surfactants are primarily nitrogen-containing organic amine derivatives.
Because the nitrogen atom in their structure possesses a lone pair of electrons, it can form hydrogen bonds with hydrogen atoms in acids, giving the amino group a positive charge.
According to their chemical structure, cationic surfactants are generally divided into amine salt type, quaternary ammonium salt type, heterocyclic type, and imidazoline type.

Common Cationic Surfactant Abbreviations:

• Octadecyl Trimethyl Ammonium Chloride — 1831

• Cetyl Trimethyl Ammonium Chloride — 1631

• Distearyl Hydroxyethyl Methyl Ammonium Methyl Sulfate — TE-90

• Stearyl Alcohol Ether-2 — Eumulgin S2 (Brij 72)

• Stearyl Alcohol Ether-21 — Eumulgin S21 (Brij 721)

• Cetostearyl Ether-20 — Eumulgin B2

• Lauryl Glucoside Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate / Glycerin — Eumulgin VL-75

• Hydrogenated Castor Oil (PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate) — Dehymuls PEG-7

• C16–18 Alcohol and Stearic Acid Glyceride — Emulgade PL 68/50

• Cetearyl Ether-20 / Cetearyl Ether-12 / Cetearyl Alcohol / Cetyl Palmitate — Emulgade SE-PE

• C16–18 Alcohol / PEG-20 C16–18 Alcohol Ether — Emulgade 1000 NI

Amphoteric Surfactants

Amphoteric surfactants contain both anionic and cationic hydrophilic groups within the same molecule.
Their most notable feature is their pH-dependent dual behavior—they can act as either acids or bases, giving or accepting protons.
These are mild and skin-friendly surfactants, widely used in personal care and cleansing formulations.

Common Amphoteric Surfactant Abbreviations:

• Cocamidopropyl Betaine — Dehyton K

• Lauryl Betaine / Laurylpropyl Betaine — BS-12

• Lauryl Dimethylamine Oxide — OA-12

• Cocamidopropyl Dimethyl Betaine — CAB-35

• Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine — CHS-35

• Cocoyl Amido Imidazoline — CAMA-30

• Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate — MES

Nonionic Surfactants

Nonionic surfactants are compounds whose hydrophilic groups—typically oxygen-containing moieties—do not ionize in aqueous solutions.
Their surface activity arises from neutral molecules, offering high surface activity, excellent solubilization, antistatic performance, calcium soap dispersion, and mildness.
They also exhibit outstanding wetting and detergency properties, making them widely used in cosmetics, detergents, and industrial formulations.

Common Nonionic Surfactant Abbreviations:

• Monoethanolamide of Coconut Fatty Acid — Comperlan 100C

• Diethanolamide of Coconut Fatty Acid — Comperlan COD

• C12–14 Alkyl Glucoside — 600 CSUP (APG)

• C8–14 Alkyl Glucoside — Glucopon 650 EC (APG)

• C12–16 Alkyl Glucoside — Plantacare 1200 UP (APG)

• C8–16 Alkyl Glucoside — Plantacare 2000 UP (APG)

• Fatty Alcohol Polyoxyethylene Ether (3/7/9EO) — AEO-3 / AEO-7 / AEO-9

• Nonylphenol Ethoxylate — TX-4.5 / TX-6.5 / TX-10 / TX-15 / TX-20 / TX-40

• Hydroxy Synthetic Alcohol Ethoxylate — Genapol UD-080

• Coconut Monoethanolamide — CMEA

• Fatty Alcohol + 4EO + 5PO — Dehypon LS45

• Hydroxy Synthetic Alcohol Ethoxylate — UD-080