Sodium Laureth-2 Phosphate

What is Sodium Laureth-2 Phosphate?

Sodium Laureth-2 Phosphate is a synthetic anionic surfactant produced by ethoxylating lauryl alcohol with two moles of ethylene oxide and esterifying with phosphoric acid, forming a sodium salt. It belongs to the alkyl ether phosphate family and is widely used in rinse-off products such as shampoos, conditioners, body washes, and facial cleansers. Functionally, it lowers surface tension between water, oils, and dirt, enabling effective removal of impurities while generating a creamy foam that enhances product spreadability. Its emulsifying action stabilizes oil-in-water emulsions, preventing phase separation and ensuring consistent viscosity. This ingredient provides mild cleansing compared to traditional sulfates, making it suitable for frequent-use formulations where gentleness is prioritized without compromising performance.

Comedogenic Rating 0/5 Low risk of clogging pores

EWG Safety Rating 2 View on EWG →

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.

Emulsifying agent

Enables stable mixing of oil and water phases by forming an interfacial film, helping create lotions, creams, and cleansers with consistent texture.

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.

Foaming

Generates foam during use to help distribute the product and lift soils; typically delivered by surfactants that create stable bubbles under agitation.

Benefits

Delivers effective yet gentle cleansing by lifting dirt and excess oils.

Produces rich, stable foam to improve product distribution and user experience.

Supports emulsion stability for smooth, consistent textures in cleansers.

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 seeking mild daily cleansers for normal or oily skin.	Those with rare sensitivities to ethoxylated ingredients.
People with hair needing good lather without excessive drying.	Individuals preferring completely non-surfactant based products.
Users of shampoos and body washes preferring phosphate-based surfactants.	People avoiding phosphate esters due to personal formulation choices.

Safety Notes

Considered safe for use in cosmetics at typical concentrations by regulatory reviews.
Exhibits low potential for skin irritation in rinse-off applications.

Frequently Asked Questions about Sodium Laureth-2 Phosphate

Is Sodium Laureth-2 Phosphate comedogenic?

It has a comedogenic rating of 0, indicating low likelihood of clogging pores.

What products commonly contain it?

Found in shampoos, conditioners, body washes, and facial cleansers for foaming and emulsifying.

Is it a gentle surfactant?

Yes, it provides mild cleansing suitable for everyday rinse-off products.