Sodium Xylenesulfonate

What Is It?

Ammonium Cumenesulfonate, Ammonium Xylenesulfonate, Calcium Xylenesulfonate, Potassium Cumenesulfonate, Potassium Toluenesulfonate, Potassium Xylenesulfonate, Sodium Cumenesulfonate, Sodium Toluenesulfonate, and Sodium Xylenesulfonate are cleansing agents. The Xylenesulfonates and Toluenesulfonates are made from Xylenesulfonic Acid and Toluenesulfonic Acid.

Among these ingredients, Ammonium Xylenesulfonate and Sodium Xylenesulfonate are most likely to be found cosmetics and personal care products including shampoos, hair conditioners, soaps and detergents, and bath products.

Why Is It Used?

These ingredients all function as surfactants – hydrotropes.

Scientific Facts

Sodium Xylenesulfonate and the related ingredients increase the ability of water to dissolve other molecules. This helps remove dirt from the skin and hair.

Safety Information

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permits Sodium Xylenesulfonate and Sodium Toluenesulfonate to be used in sanitizing solutions for food processing equipment and other articles that come into contact with food. Sodium Xylenesulfonate is also permitted for use as an indirect food additive in adhesives and paper and paperboard.

The safety of Xylene Sulfonic Acid, Ammonium Cumenesulfonate, Ammonium Xylenesulfonate, Calcium Xylenesulfonate, Potassium Cumenesulfonate, Potassium Toluenesulfonate, Potassium Xylenesulfonate, Sodium Cumenesulfonate, Sodium Toluenesulfonate, Sodium Xylenesulfonate and Toluene Sulfonic Acid has been assessed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel.

The CIR Expert Panel evaluated the scientific data and concluded that these ingredients were safe for use in cosmetics and personal care products in the present practices of use and concentration when formulated to be non-irritating.

CIR Safety Review:

Based on the physical and chemical properties of Xylene Sulfonic Acid, Ammonium Cumenesulfonate, Ammonium Xylenesulfonate, Calcium Xylenesulfonate, Potassium Cumenesulfonate, Potassium Toluenesulfonate, Potassium Xylenesulfonate, Sodium Cumenesulfonate, Sodium Toluenesulfonate, Sodium Xylenesulfonate and Toluene Sulfonic Acid the CIR Expert Panel considered that absorption of these ingredients following dermal exposure would be limited.

The CIR Expert Panel also reviewed data indicating that these ingredients were not genotoxic, carcinogenic or developmental toxicants. At concentrations greater than those used in cosmetics and personal care products, these ingredients can cause irritation to the skin. Therefore, the CIR Expert Panel concluded that these ingredients were safe for use in cosmetics and personal care products in the present practices of use and concentration when formulated to be non-irritating.

FDA: Link to Code of Federal Regulations for Sodium Xylenesulfonate and Sodium Toluenesulfonate

These ingredients may be used in cosmetics and personal care products marketed in Europe according to the general provisions of the Cosmetics Regulation of the European Union.

Link to the EU Cosmetic Regulation: http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/consumers/product_labelling_and_packaging/co0013_en.htm