Sodium Taurine Laurate

What is Sodium Taurine Laurate?

Sodium Taurine Laurate is an anionic surfactant created by reacting lauric acid, a saturated fatty acid derived from coconut or palm kernel oils, with taurine, an amino sulfonic acid present in human bile and tissues. It falls within the taurate class of mild cleansers used primarily in rinse-off personal care products like shampoos, body washes, facial cleansers, and gentle baby formulations. In these products, it functions by decreasing water's surface tension, which promotes the blending of water with skin oils and debris. This action supports micelle formation, spherical aggregates that trap and suspend impurities for effortless removal during rinsing, while maintaining a soft cleansing effect on skin and hair.

Comedogenic Rating 0/5 Low risk of clogging pores
EWG Safety Rating 1 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.
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.

Benefits

Delivers effective dirt and oil removal without harshness.

Produces stable foam for pleasant washing experience.

Non-comedogenic, unlikely to clog pores.

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 or delicate skin seeking mild cleansers.
Those with known allergies to lauric acid or coconut sources.
Users of baby or gentle daily wash products.
Individuals sensitive to anionic surfactants in general.
People preferring coconut-derived surfactants in routines.
People experiencing irritation from similar mild cleansers.

Safety Notes

  • Considered low hazard in cosmetic concentrations by safety assessments.
  • Suitable for rinse-off products at typical use levels.

Frequently Asked Questions about Sodium Taurine Laurate

What does Sodium Taurine Laurate do in products?

It acts as a surfactant to lower surface tension, enabling micelles to lift dirt and oils for rinsing.

Is it suitable for sensitive skin?

Yes, its mild profile makes it common in gentle and baby formulations.

Does it clog pores?

It has a comedogenic rating of 0, indicating low pore-clogging potential.