Sodium Laurate

What is Sodium Laurate?

Sodium laurate is the sodium salt of lauric acid, a medium-chain saturated fatty acid primarily obtained from coconut oil or palm kernel oil. Classified as an anionic surfactant, it appears in rinse-off cosmetics such as bar soaps, liquid hand soaps, body washes, facial cleansers, and shampoos. Its primary function involves decreasing water's surface tension to produce foam and create micelles—tiny structures that trap oils, dirt, and sebum for easy rinsing. This action ensures effective removal of surface impurities while being gentle on skin barriers. As an emulsifier, it forms a protective layer at oil-water interfaces, promoting uniform blending in creamy or lotion-like formulations. Derived from renewable sources, it supports clean-rinse properties, minimizing residue and contributing to product efficacy in daily hygiene routines.

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:

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.
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

Delivers thorough cleansing by lifting dirt and oils from skin surfaces.

Generates stable foam for enhanced washing sensation in cleansers.

Supports emulsion stability, improving texture in multi-phase products.

Who It's For

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

Who May Benefit Who Should Avoid
Individuals with normal or oily skin needing reliable daily cleansing.
Those with very dry skin, as it may feel drying during use.
Users of soap-based products preferring plant-sourced ingredients.
Individuals sensitive to coconut-derived components.
People seeking effective rinse-off formulations without heavy residue.
People with compromised skin barriers using leave-on products.

Safety Notes

  • Rated low hazard by environmental working group assessments.
  • Deemed safe for use in rinse-off cosmetics by cosmetic ingredient review.

Frequently Asked Questions about Sodium Laurate

What is sodium laurate made from?

It is the sodium salt of lauric acid, sourced mainly from coconut or palm kernel oils.

Is sodium laurate safe for skin?

Safety reviews consider it low hazard and suitable for rinse-off personal care products.

Does it cause irritation?

Evidence points to low irritation risk in typical cleansing applications.