Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate: what it is in skincare
A foaming cleanser that helps produce strong lather and lift away oil and surface buildup.
What it does
Function: surfactant (anionic). Surfactants lift away oil, sunscreen and grime. K-beauty favours mild amino-acid and amphoteric surfactants that clean without stripping.
- sensitive-skin-caution
How to spot it on a label
On a Korean product's INCI list, look for Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate. Ingredients are listed high-to-low by amount, so its position hints at how much is in the formula. See all cleansing agents (surfactants) →
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Cocamidopropyl BetaineSodium Cocoyl IsethionateSodium Lauroyl Methyl IsethionateCoco-GlucosideDecyl GlucosideLauryl Glucoside✍️ Written & reviewed by the KoreaPlus Editorial team — dermatologist-informed, cosmetic-science researched & source-cited. Last reviewed 2026-06-21.
General educational information using cosmetic structure-function wording — not medical advice. Always patch-test new actives. © KoreaPlus.