Sodium Lauryl Phosphate

What is Sodium Lauryl Phosphate?

Sodium Lauryl Phosphate is the sodium salt of the phosphoric acid monoester from lauryl alcohol, a 12-carbon fatty alcohol often sourced from coconut or palm kernel oils. As an anionic surfactant in the alkyl phosphate family, it appears mainly in rinse-off cleansing products like shampoos, body washes, facial cleansers, and bubble baths. It works by decreasing surface tension at the water-oil boundary, which lifts away dirt, sebum, and residues into micelles for easy rinsing. It also generates stable foam through air incorporation and forms interfacial films to blend oil and water phases evenly, ensuring smooth textures in emulsions. Its structure provides milder behavior than traditional sulfate surfactants, making it suitable for everyday and gentle formulations.

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 emulsifying oils and soils for rinse-off.

Produces creamy foam to enhance the washing sensation.

Supports stable mixtures in cleansers and lotions for even consistency.

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 gentle daily cleansers.
Those with rare phosphate sensitivities.
Users preferring low-irritation rinse-off products.
Individuals avoiding all synthetic surfactants.
People formulating or using mild shampoos and washes.
People directed by professionals to limit cleansers.

Safety Notes

  • Recognized as safe for cosmetic use by review panels.
  • Non-comedogenic, unlikely to clog pores.

Frequently Asked Questions about Sodium Lauryl Phosphate

What makes Sodium Lauryl Phosphate mild?

Its alkyl phosphate structure yields lower irritation than sulfate-based options in studies.

Where is it commonly used?

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

Is it suitable for sensitive skin?

Yes, selected for gentle products due to its favorable safety profile.