Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate

Good

Cleansing Agent

No known benefits

Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate at a glance

  • Cleansing agent found in products such as face wash, bubble bath, and shampoo
  • Noted for its gentleness + foam-boosting properties
  • Can enhance the water solubility of other surfactants
  • Can be sourced naturally (plant derived) or synthetically (lab created)

Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate description

Disodium laureth sulfosuccinate is a cleansing agent found in products such as face wash, bubble bath, and shampoo, as well as other personal care products. It can help boost the foaming properties of such formulas plus enhance the water solubility of other surfactants. Suppliers of this ingredient note its gentleness on skin. Disodium laureth sulfosuccinate can be sourced naturally (plant derived) or synthetically (lab created). It is described as a clear, colorless to slightly yellowish liquid in raw material form. Technically speaking, it is the disodium salt of an ethoxylated lauryl alcohol half ester of sulfosuccinic acid. The 2015 Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel surveyed 607 personal care products containing disodium laureth sulfosuccinate in concentrations between 0.06% to 2% for leave-on formulas and 0.4% to 10% for rinse-off. They concluded that this ingredient is “safe in the present practices of use and concentration described in this safety assessment when formulated to be nonirritating.”

Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate references

  • Personal Care Council, Accessed January 2023, ePublication
  • Innospec (supplier info), Accessed January 2023, ePublication
  • International Journal of Toxicology, 2015, pages 70S-83S

Peer-reviewed, substantiated scientific research is used to assess ingredients in this dictionary. Regulations regarding constraints, permitted concentration levels and availability vary by country and region.

Ingredient ratings

Best

Proven and supported by independent studies. Outstanding active ingredient for most skin types or concerns.

Good

Necessary to improve a formula's texture, stability, or penetration.

Average

Generally non-irritating but may have aesthetic, stability, or other issues that limit its usefulness.

Bad

There is a likelihood of irritation. Risk increases when combined with other problematic ingredients.

Worst

May cause irritation, inflammation, dryness, etc. May offer benefit in some capability but overall, proven to do more harm than good.

unknown

We couldn't find this in our ingredient dictionary. We log all missing ingredients and make continuous updates.

Not rated

We have not yet rated this ingredient because we have not had a chance to review the research on it.