Description

What is Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate?

Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate (INCI: Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate; CAS 137-16-6; EC 205-281-5) is a mild, amino-acid-derived anionic surfactant in the acyl sarcosinate family. It is produced by condensing sarcosine, a naturally occurring amino acid, with lauric acid from vegetable oils and neutralizing with sodium, and is offered as a high-activity white powder (95%) or a clear liquid (30%). The ingredient builds fine, creamy, long-lasting foam and maintains its foaming and detergency in hard water and across a wide pH range. Highly biodegradable and gentle on skin and mucous membranes, it lifts sebum and impurities while reducing the irritation of harsher surfactants, making it a versatile primary or co-surfactant for personal-care and oral-care products.

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Key Benefits

• Hard-water resistant: less affected by hard water than many other surfactants, keeping foam stable and consistent.
• Fine, long-lasting foam: creates delicate, creamy, stable lather that rinses easily without residue.
• Mild and gentle: highly compatible with skin and mucous membranes; suitable for sensitive skin and baby and child products.
• Synergistic booster: works well with other surfactants, lowering overall blend irritation while improving foam.
• Wide pH stability: performs from strongly alkaline to weakly acidic conditions.
• Oral-care friendly: helps reduce plaque adhesion and is a preferred foaming base in toothpaste and mouthwash.
• Natural and biodegradable: derived from sarcosine and vegetable lauric acid, environmentally friendly.
• Two convenient forms: powder (95%) for flexible dosing and solid formats; liquid (30%) for immediate use.

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Applications

• Facial and body care: facial cleansers, gel and cream washes, body washes, shower gels, liquid and hand soaps, makeup removers.
• Hair care: shampoos, including anti-dandruff and mild daily shampoos, plus co-washes and gentle scalp products.
• Shaving products: shaving foams and creams with smooth glide and cushiony lather.
• Oral care: toothpaste and mouthwash as a primary foaming agent.
• Baby and sensitive care: infant washes and child products for delicate skin.

Typical use level: approximately 5–30% in rinse-off products; the powder suits high-activity and solid systems, while the liquid is easiest to disperse.

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FAQ

Q1: Is it truly hard-water resistant? A1: Yes — it is less affected by hard water than many surfactant types and retains good foam stability under those conditions.

Q2: Is it a sulfate? A2: No. It is an acyl sarcosinate, an amino-acid-derived surfactant, making it suitable for sulfate-free and mild formulations.

Q3: Why is it used in toothpaste? A3: It provides stable, fine foam and helps reduce plaque adhesion while being gentle on mucous membranes.