Sodium Lauroamphoacetate

What is Sodium Lauroamphoacetate?

Sodium Lauroamphoacetate is an amphoteric surfactant, a sodium salt derived from lauric acid—typically sourced from coconut or palm oils—and amphoacetic acid. This structure allows it to carry both positive and negative charges, enabling mild interaction with skin and hair. Commonly found in shampoos, body washes, facial cleansers, and baby products, it functions by lowering surface tension to remove dirt and oils without harsh stripping. It also generates stable, creamy foam for better product spread and enhances hair conditioning by reducing friction, improving combability and shine. Its pH-dependent behavior makes it compatible with other surfactants, boosting overall mildness in rinse-off formulations while minimizing irritation compared to stronger anionics.

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.

Foam booster

Enhances foam volume and creaminess and can stabilize lather, improving sensory feel and perceived cleansing in shampoos and wash-off 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

Delivers gentle cleansing that lifts impurities while preserving natural moisture.

Creates rich, stable foam for enhanced sensory experience during washing.

Supports hair conditioning to improve softness, shine, and ease of styling.

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 sensitive skin seeking non-irritating cleansers.	Those with rare allergies to coconut-derived ingredients.
Users of baby or gentle shampoos for everyday care.	People experiencing contact dermatitis from amphoteric surfactants.
People with normal to dry hair needing conditioning without heaviness.	Individuals preferring sulfate-free but ultra-minimalist formulas.

Safety Notes

Recognized as safe for cosmetic use by expert reviews like CIR.
Consistently low hazard rating from databases like EWG.

Frequently Asked Questions about Sodium Lauroamphoacetate

Is Sodium Lauroamphoacetate safe for sensitive skin?

Yes, its mild amphoteric properties make it suitable for sensitive skin in cleansers and shampoos.

What products commonly contain it?

Found in shampoos, body washes, facial cleansers, and baby products for foaming and conditioning.

Does it cause breakouts?

Rated non-comedogenic, unlikely to clog pores on skin or scalp.