https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.3109/10915819209141995

Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate is the sodium salt of a mixture of cetyl and stearyl sulfate which is used as a surfactant and cleansing agent in cosmetics at concentrations ranging from ≥ 0.1 to 25.0%.

The LD50 was not achieved in two studies in which rats received a single oral dose of 5.0 ml/kg. In ocular irritation tests, 20.0% aqueous Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate was not irritating to the eyes of rabbits. Twenty percent Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate was not irritating to the skin of rabbits.

In a guinea pig sensitization study, Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate was not a sensitizer. Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate is less irritating to the skin than Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, whose safety test data are summarized in the report. Due to the chemical similarity of these two cosmetic ingredients, the safety test data on Sodium Lauryl Sulfate was considered to be applicable to the safety evaluation of this ingredient.

On the basis of the animal and clinical data on Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate as presented in the report, it is concluded that Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate is safe as a cosmetic ingredient in the present practices of use and concentration.