100% Natural Water-saving Surfactant: Glutamate
- May 14, 2019
- Posted by: Jiamin Ng
- Category: LS, Personal Care

Looking for GREEN and MILD surfactants with water saving function?
We are living in the society with growing concern towards eco-friendliness. Because of that the choice of surfactant is becoming crucial. One of the most commonly used surfactants is Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLES), but due to the market trend, many formulators have been looking for alternatives. One of the more prominent choices to replace SLES is amino acid surfactants. However, high cost and poor thickening efficacy associated with amino acid surfactants hinder formulators to adopt the alternative. However, we would like to introduce glutamate surfactant to solve such problem.
Glutamate VS SLES
Surfactant | Main Feed Stocks | Main Impurities | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|
Glutamate (Amino Acid based Surfactant) | Fatty Acids, Amino Acids | Fatty Acids, Amino Acids, Sodium Chloride |
|
SLES | Fatty Alcohol, EO, SO3 | Dioxane |
|
What are the benefits of Glutamate as surfactant?
- Easy to rinse off!
- Mild surfactant that is Suitable for Sensitive skins!
- Superior performance with luxurious foam and super conditioning effect!
- Foam tolerance to hard water
- Anti-microbial properties
- Excellent Sensory feel; Refreshing and Excellent Moisturizing effect!
- Reduce water consumption and greenhouse gases emission!
Application: Hair shampoo, Soap, Body wash, Facial cleanser, Shower gel, etc
Efficacies of Glutamate
Notes: SLES (Sodium Laureth Sulfate), UOS-30S (Disodium Oleoyl Glutamate), CAPB (Cocamidopropyl Betaine), ULS-30S (Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate), UCS-30SG (Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate), APG0814 (Coco Glucoside)
From the data above, we can conclude that Glutamate as surfactant reduces water consumption more significantly than other common surfactants! It reduces water consumption ranging from 17.6% to 33.6% as compared to SLES!
All testing surfactants: 15% (active content) aqueous solution at pH
Glutamate provides a greater cleansing effect with its luxurious foam. From the foaming results above, foams created by ULS-30S and UCS-30S are denser and creamier than foams created by SLES. On the other hand, SLES has large bubble & flashy foam only for the first 15 minutes. Eventually, SLES foam dried up when it is left overnight. (Refer to the image below)
Safety data of Glutamate Vs SLES and others
*SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate), SLMT (Sodium Lauroyl Methyltaurate), SLES (Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate), SL (Sodium Laurate), SMLP (Sodium Monolauryl Phosphate), SLG (Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate)
According to the Safety Data, MTT50 for SLG was the highest (904ppm) and have the lowest Skin irritation score (1.3). This indicates that Glutamate surfactant is the mildest and suitable for sensitive skin.
Success stories
Formulation guides
Shower Gel (Partial Replacement of SLES with Eversoft UCS-30S)
PHASE | INGREDIENTS | FUNCTION | INCI NAME | Supplier | W/W % |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
A | Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES,70% AD) | Primary Foamer | – | – | 14.0 |
A | Cocamidopropyl Betaine (30% AD) | Secondary Foamer | – | – | 5.0 |
A | Eversoft UCS-30S (~25% AD) | Secondary Foamer | Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate | SINO LION | 5.0 |
A | Everfoam AMCO (100 AD) | Foam booster and stabilizer | PPG2 Hydroxyethyl cocamide | SINO LION | 1.5 |
A | Disodium EDTA | Chelating agent | – | – | 0.05 |
A | Citric Acid Monohydrate | pH adjuster | – | – | q.s |
A | Deionized Water | – | – | – | To 100 |
B | Fragrane | – | – | – | 0.2 |
C | Everguard | Preservative | DMDM H | SINO LION | 0.3 |
D | Sodium Chloride | Salt Thickener | – | – | q.s |
Total | 100 |
Procedures
- Mix phase A, heat to 85℃ and ensure that homogenous solution obtained.
- Cool to 45 °C. Add phase B and C and mix homogenously
- Add phase D. Mix homogenously
End product appearance
Appearance | Transparent liquid |
pH | 5.0-5.1 |
Viscosity, cps | 10,000-11,000cP (25℃, Brookfield RVT, 20rpm, 5#spindle) |
Natural Self-foaming Facial Cleanser (Total replacement of SLES with Eversoft UCS-50SG)
PHASE | INGREDIENTS | FUNCTION | INCI NAME | Supplier | W/W % |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
A | OleEster ISL | Mild Humectant | Sodium Isostearoyl Lactylate | SINO LION | 0.5 |
A | Everlipid EFA | Mild Emollient | Linoleamidopropyl PG-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate | SINO LION | 5.0 |
A | Eversoft UCS-50SG | Mild primary surfactant | Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate | SINO LION | 20.0 |
A | Eversoft YLS(GType) | Mild Secondary surfactant | Sodium Lauroyl Glycinate | SINO LION | 20.0 |
A | EverPro LCG | Preservative | Ethyl Lauroyl Arginate HCl, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycerin | SINO LION | 1.0 |
A | Deionized Water | – | – | – | To 100 |
B | Citric Acid | pH adjuster | – | – | q.s |
Total | 100 |
Procedures
- Mix all of the materials in Phase A to obtain uniformly mixed solution
- Add Phase B to adjust pH to 7.5-8.0 with stirring
End product appearance
Appearance | Transparent liquid |
pH | 7.5-8.5 |
Do not wait anymore. Natural personal care product is no more dream.
Our surfactant are 100% natural which follow ISO16128 guidelines. Switching to our affordable surfactants will reduce water consumption and save cost. Additionally, our ingredients used are sustainable and RSPO certified. If this is the solution for you, contact us now for sample.
Patented in US, China, Japan; Patent-pending in Korea, EU, India & Brazil