Sodium Toluenesulfonate
AKA “Sodium 4-methylbenzenesulfonate, Sodium tosylate, p-Toluenesulfonic acid sodium salt, 12068-03-0, Sodium methylbenzenesulfonate, Sodium toluenesulphonate, p-Toluenesulfonic acid, sodium salt, Sodium p-tolylsulfonate, sodium;4-methylbenzenesulfonate
Surfactant
Ingredient Facts
Sodium toluenesulfonate
AKA: Sodium 4-methylbenzenesulfonate, Sodium tosylate, P-Toluenesulfonic acid sodium salt, 12068-03-0, Sodium methylbenzenesulfonate, Sodium toluenesulphonate, P-Toluenesulfonic acid, Sodium salt, Sodium p-tolylsulfonate, Sodium;4-methylbenzenesulfonate
Surfactant · Cleansing · EWG: 4
Synthetic
Cleanser
Medicated Active
Safety Concern
Not Clean
Sodium Toluenesulfonate ... safe as cosmetic ingredient in the present practice of use and concentration as described in this safety assessment, when formulated to be nonirritating
Formula
C7H7NaO3S
Mol. Weight
194.19
CAS #
12068-03-0, 657-84-1
Form
Liquid
See origin →
Functions
Cleansing
Makes oil and water mix so dirt, makeup, and sunscreen can actually be washed away. The reason your face wash foams.
Hydrotrope
Surfactant Cleansing
Surfactant Hydrotrope
Anti-Inflammatory
Antimicrobial
Fights Acne
Lifts away dirt and oil
Improves ingredient solubility
Traditional Use
A synthetic aromatic compound developed as a surfactant and solubilizing agent in modern cosmetics. It has no traditional use history and was created specifically for industrial and cosmetic applications in the 20th century.
Skin Types
all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not an Irritant
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Status
USApermitted
EUrestricted
JAPANrestricted
CANADArestricted
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR