Is ammonium lauryl sulfate the same as sodium lauryl sulfate?

They are close relatives in the same alkyl sulfate family, differing only in the counter-ion (ammonium versus sodium), and CIR's safety findings and irritation profile for the two are essentially the same: fine in brief, rinse-off use, more likely to irritate at higher concentration or with prolonged skin contact.

Does ammonium lauryl sulfate cause cancer?

There is no evidence for this in humans. The real, documented concern with this ingredient and its sulfate relatives is dryness or irritation from heavy or prolonged use, which is a tolerability issue, not a carcinogenicity one.

surfactant

Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate

Commonly feared, low concern·Strong evidence

A foaming cleansing agent from the same sulfate family as sodium lauryl and laureth sulfate. Like its relatives it can be drying or irritating at high concentration or with prolonged contact, especially on already-compromised skin, but at the levels and rinse-off use typical of shampoos and body washes it is considered safe.

The myth vs the evidence

Sulfates are widely rumored to be carcinogenic or to "poison" the body. There is no evidence for this in humans; the real, milder concern with any sulfate, including this one, is dryness or irritation with heavy or prolonged use, which is a cosmetic tolerability issue, not a toxicity one.

Worth knowing

Can irritate, especially left on

Gentler alternatives

Questions

Is ammonium lauryl sulfate the same as sodium lauryl sulfate?: They are close relatives in the same alkyl sulfate family, differing only in the counter-ion (ammonium versus sodium), and CIR's safety findings and irritation profile for the two are essentially the same: fine in brief, rinse-off use, more likely to irritate at higher concentration or with prolonged skin contact.
Does ammonium lauryl sulfate cause cancer?: There is no evidence for this in humans. The real, documented concern with this ingredient and its sulfate relatives is dryness or irritation from heavy or prolonged use, which is a tolerability issue, not a carcinogenicity one.

Products with Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate

References

Cosmetic information for general education, not medical advice. A verdict is a reading of the published evidence, never a guarantee for your skin: any ingredient can irritate someone, so patch test new products and see a professional if you react. Concern is graded on cited evidence, never on hazard-score lists. See how we score.