9 Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Sodium Myreth Sulfate

Abstract

Sodium Myreth Sulfate is the sodium salt of sulfated, ethoxylated myristyl alcohol which is used as a surfactant and cleansing agent in cosmetics at concentrations ranging from > 1.0–5.0% to > 50.0%. A formulation containing 7.0% Sodium Myreth Sulfate was shown to be an ocular irritant in experimental animals and in some human test subjects. These irritant effects were similar to those previously reported for the chemically similar compound Sodium Laureth Sulfate which was shown to be safe for use in cosmetics. The report summarizes the safety test data on Sodium Laureth Sulfate. Based upon the combined data cited in the report on both cosmetic ingredients, it is concluded that Sodium Myreth Sulfate is safe as a cosmetic ingredient in the present practices of use and concentration.

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