Ammonium Lauroyl Sarcosinate

What is Ammonium Lauroyl Sarcosinate?

Ammonium lauroyl sarcosinate is the ammonium salt of the lauroyl amide of sarcosine, an N-methyl derivative of the amino acid glycine acylated with lauric acid from coconut or palm kernel oil. This synthetic ingredient belongs to the class of acyl sarcosinates, prized for mildness in rinse-off personal care products like shampoos, body washes, and facial cleansers. It works as an anionic surfactant by reducing surface tension between water, oil, and soil, forming micelles that encapsulate and rinse away dirt and excess sebum. Its foaming properties create rich lather for even product distribution, while antistatic and conditioning effects smooth hair cuticles, minimizing friction and static buildup during styling or drying.

Comedogenic Rating 0/5 Low risk of clogging pores
EWG Safety Rating 1 View on EWG →
PubChem View on PubChem →

Roles in Formulation

This ingredient serves the following purposes in cosmetic formulations:

Hair conditioning
Improves softness, shine, and manageability by reducing friction and static; commonly achieved with cationic agents, silicones, oils, or conditioning polymers.
Surfactant
Lowers surface tension to enable cleansing, emulsifying, and foaming; central to shampoos, body washes, and many emulsions and micellar systems.
Cleansing agent
Removes dirt, oil, and impurities by lowering surface tension and forming micelles, enabling soils to be lifted and rinsed away from skin, hair, or teeth.
Antistatic agent
Reduces static electricity and flyaways by improving surface conductivity, enhancing hair manageability and smoothness in conditioners and styling products.
Foaming
Generates foam during use to help distribute the product and lift soils; typically delivered by surfactants that create stable bubbles under agitation.

Benefits

Provides gentle cleansing that removes impurities without harsh stripping.

Generates stable foam for effective product application and soil lift.

Offers hair conditioning and antistatic benefits for smoother, more manageable strands.

Who It's For

A quick guide for who this ingredient may suit (and who should be cautious).

Who May Benefit Who Should Avoid
People with sensitive skin seeking mild, non-drying cleansers.
Anyone with known allergies to sarcosinates or coconut-derived ingredients.
Individuals preferring sulfate-free formulas for daily hair and body care.
People experiencing irritation from anionic surfactants in patch tests.
Those with normal to oily hair needing foam and conditioning in one.
Those preferring completely non-foaming, minimalist cleansers.

Safety Notes

  • Rated low hazard overall by EWG with scores of 1.
  • Deemed safe for cosmetic use by Cosmetic Ingredient Review experts.

Frequently Asked Questions about Ammonium Lauroyl Sarcosinate

What is ammonium lauroyl sarcosinate?

Anionic surfactant from sarcosine and lauric acid, used for mild cleansing and foaming in wash-off products.

Is it safe for sensitive skin?

Yes, it carries a low hazard rating and is formulated for gentle use in many sensitive skin products.

Does it cause breakouts?

No, with a comedogenic rating of 0, it does not promote pore clogging.