Sodium Lauraminopropionate

What is Sodium Lauraminopropionate?

Sodium lauraminopropionate is the sodium salt of N-lauryl beta-iminodipropionic acid, an amphoteric surfactant featuring both anionic and cationic properties for balanced performance. Derived primarily from lauric acid sourced from coconut or palm oils, it belongs to the aminopropionate class of mild cleansing agents. Commonly found in shampoos, conditioners, body washes, and facial cleansers, it functions by reducing surface tension to lift dirt and oils into micelles for easy rinsing. Its dual-charge nature allows it to condition hair by neutralizing static, emulsify oil-water mixtures for stable formulas, and boost rich, creamy foam. This versatility makes it suitable for everyday personal care products, providing effective yet non-stripping action on skin and hair.

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:

Antistatic agent
Reduces static electricity and flyaways by improving surface conductivity, enhancing hair manageability and smoothness in conditioners and styling products.
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.
Foam booster
Enhances foam volume and creaminess and can stabilize lather, improving sensory feel and perceived cleansing in shampoos and wash-off products.
Emulsifying agent
Enables stable mixing of oil and water phases by forming an interfacial film, helping create lotions, creams, and cleansers with consistent texture.

Benefits

Gentle cleansing removes impurities while preserving natural moisture balance.

Enhances hair smoothness and reduces static for better manageability.

Boosts foam quality for a luxurious lather in washes and shampoos.

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 scalps seeking mild hair care products.
Those with rare allergies to coconut-derived fatty acids.
Individuals preferring foam-rich cleansers for daily use.
People sensitive to amphoteric surfactants.
Users of conditioning shampoos wanting antistatic benefits.
Individuals experiencing irritation from similar mild cleansers.

Safety Notes

  • Considered low hazard in cosmetic concentrations by safety assessments.
  • Typically shows low potential for skin or eye irritation in formulations.

Frequently Asked Questions about Sodium Lauraminopropionate

What is sodium lauraminopropionate?

A mild amphoteric surfactant from lauric acid, used in cleansers for foaming, conditioning, and gentle dirt removal.

Is it suitable for sensitive skin?

Yes, its low irritation profile makes it common in mild, everyday rinse-off products.

What products contain it?

Typically shampoos, conditioners, body washes, and facial cleansers for cleansing and hair benefits.