Skincare Ingredient
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Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
In Skincare: Is Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate Safe? Comedogenic Rating & Side Effects
Safety Information
Quick Insights
At a glance
- 01
Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate is a cleansing agent commonly used in face washes, bubble baths, and shampoos.
- 02
This ingredient is recognized for its gentle nature and ability to increase foam production in formulations.
- 03
Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate can improve the water solubility of other surfactants within a product.
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This ingredient may be derived from plant sources or produced synthetically in a laboratory setting.
Overview
Ingredient Profile
Data & Research
Scientific Facts
Common Uses
Formulation in Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
Role of Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
Active Cosmetic Mechanisms
CLEANSING
Dirt & Oil RemoverRemoves dirt, oil, makeup, and impurities
SCIENTIFIC ANALYSIS
// Evidence: Cleansing ingredients remove sebum, dirt, cells, and cosmetics through surfactant action, emulsification, or solubilization. Surfactants reduce surface and interfacial tension, allowing water to wet oily surfaces. Micelle formation enables hydrophobic substances to be solubilized and rinsed away. Must balance efficacy with mildness to avoid stripping natural lipid barrier.
FOAMING
Lather CreatorGenerates rich bubbles and lather
SCIENTIFIC ANALYSIS
// Evidence: Foaming agents (surfactants) reduce surface tension allowing air incorporation and stabilization as bubbles. Foam generation requires surfactant adsorption at air-water interface with hydrophobic tails toward air, mechanical agitation introducing air, and stabilization through surfactant films. Anionic surfactants (sodium laureth sulfate) and amphoteric surfactants (cocamidopropyl betaine) are primary foaming agents.
SURFACTANT - CLEANSING
Cleansing SurfactantRemoves dirt and oil through surfactant action
SCIENTIFIC ANALYSIS
// Evidence: Cleansing surfactants specifically formulated for removing sebum, dirt, and impurities. Primarily anionic (sodium laureth sulfate, sodium cocoyl isethionate) and amphoteric surfactants (betaines). Mechanism involves reducing surface tension enabling water to wet oily surfaces, solubilizing lipophilic materials in micelles, and emulsifying oils for rinse-off. Cleansing efficacy balanced with mildness by surfactant selection, concentration, and pH optimization. Must avoid excessive lipid removal that compromises barrier function.
SURFACTANT - FOAM BOOSTING
Foam EnhancerEnhances foam quality and stability
SCIENTIFIC ANALYSIS
// Evidence: Foam-boosting surfactants enhance lather richness, bubble size, and foam stability when combined with primary foaming agents. Typically amphoteric surfactants (cocamidopropyl betaine) or alkanolamides (cocamide DEA, cocamide MEA). Mechanism involves increasing foam viscosity through synergistic interactions with anionic surfactants, stabilizing bubble films through mixed micelle formation, and reducing drainage rate. Result is creamier, longer-lasting foam improving sensory experience.
SURFACTANT - HYDROTROPE
Solubility BoosterIncreases solubility of poorly soluble ingredients
SCIENTIFIC ANALYSIS
// Evidence: Hydrotropic surfactants enhance solubility of hydrophobic compounds in aqueous systems without forming micelles. Common hydrotropes include sodium cumene sulfonate, sodium xylene sulfonate, and urea. Mechanism differs from micellization: hydrotropes weaken water structure and create localized regions of altered polarity, increasing solute solubility. Enable clear formulations with high surfactant or fragrance content. Particularly useful for solubilizing fragrances and other lipophilic ingredients in high-electrolyte or high-surfactant systems.
Products
containing Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
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References
Scientific sources
Personal Care Council, Accessed January 2023, ePublication
Innospec (supplier info), Accessed January 2023, ePublication
International Journal of Toxicology, 2015, pages 70S-83S
Similar Ingredients
Ingredients with similar chemical profiles and skincare properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate — common questions
What is Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate in skincare?
Disodium laureth sulfosuccinate is a surfactant derived from lauryl alcohol. It’s formed by reacting ethoxylated lauryl alcohol with sulfosuccinic acid and then converting it to a disodium salt.
What does Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate do? / Functions of Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate?
Common functions: CLEANSING, FOAMING, SURFACTANT - CLEANSING, SURFACTANT - FOAM BOOSTING, SURFACTANT - HYDROTROPE.
What is the comedogenic rating of Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate? / Is Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate comedogenic?
The comedogenic rating of Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate has not been established in our database.
Does it clog pores?
Whether Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate clogs pores depends on the formulation and concentration.
Is Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate safe for skin?
Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate has a safety rating of 2 out of 5. A rating of 2 means it is generally considered safe for most skin types. Note: Mild anionic surfactant; generally considered safe and less irritating than SLS/SLES. According to the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR), it is safe for use in cosmetics at concentrations up to 15%, wi
Is Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate good for sensitive skin?
Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate has an irritancy rating of 2 out of 5. A rating of 2 means it is generally well-tolerated.
What are the side effects of Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate in skincare?
Known considerations: Mild anionic surfactant; generally considered safe and less irritating than SLS/SLES. According to the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR), it is safe for use in cosmetics at concentrations up to 15%, with limited reports of mild skin irritation in some individuals.