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SODIUM LAURYL SULFOACETATE.

Valuable CAS 1847-58-1 / CLEANSING, FOAMING, SURFACTANT - CLEANSING

Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate (SLSA) is an anionic surfactant employed in precision skincare for its exceptional cleansing, foaming, and emulsifying capabilities. Positioned as a milder alternative to traditional sulfates, it is designed to effectively purify the skin while striving to maintain its natural moisture balance and barrier integrity.

Summary

Cleansing Foaming Surfactant

Science

Mechanism of Action

As an anionic surfactant, SLSA operates by significantly reducing the surface tension of liquids, which facilitates the creation of a rich, creamy lather essential for thorough cleansing. It efficiently wets the skin surface, enabling the dispersion of soils and oils, leading to superior rinseability and a pleasant aesthetic feel devoid of heavy occlusion. Its mechanism supports cleansing without excessively stripping the skin's natural lipids, thereby contributing to a balanced and hydrated skin barrier.

Research

Clinical Evidence

Medium confidence
Effective range N/A
Optimal

N/A

Key findings

  1. 01 Reported as a mild to strong skin irritant in aqueous solutions, though classified as non-allergic in nature.
  2. 02 Demonstrated mild to strong skin irritation but no sensitizing effects in clinical human studies. No skin irritation, sensitization, or phototoxicity was observed in guinea pigs exposed to a cosmetic product containing this concentration.
  3. 03 Induced minimal to slight ocular irritation in rabbits.
  4. 04 When tested undiluted in a bath product, or diluted to 1-2% in aqueous solution, it was irritating but not sensitizing to human skin.
  5. 05 Caused moderate skin irritation upon direct application.

Transparency

Dusting Analysis

Not commonly dusted
Red flag below
Concentrations as low as 0.18-0.7% in aqueous solution have been reported to cause mild to strong skin irritation. Higher concentrations, such as 35% (as-is in a bath product) or 70%, significantly increase the risk of moderate skin irritation.%

While the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel affirms Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate's safety for cosmetic use, its irritation potential is highly concentration-dependent. Products formulated for direct, prolonged skin contact must utilize significantly lower percentages to avoid adverse reactions, distinguishing them from applications like bubble baths where an initially high concentration (up to 50%) is mitigated by extensive dilution during use. Despite its milder reputation compared to some sulfates, precise concentration management is critical to prevent irritation.

The Formula

Formulation

Solubility
Water
Optimal pH 5 – 8.5
0 7 14

Stability

Exhibits stability in hard water and remains effective in weakly acidic to weakly alkaline solutions. It is hygroscopic and can be incorporated into both powder and liquid formulations.

Safety

Safety Profile

CIR Status
Safe as used
Max tested
50%
Sensitization risk Low

The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel has reaffirmed Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate's safety for use in cosmetic products at current practices and concentrations, based on updated data. Studies showed products containing up to 16% were non-mutagenic. The maximum reported concentration in cosmetic product formulations submitted to the FDA was 50% in bubble baths, a use scenario where the ingredient is significantly diluted during application, thereby reducing the effective concentration on skin.

Your Skin

Skin Compatibility

Yes Normal
Yes Dry
Yes Oily
Yes Sensitive
Irritancy Moderate
Comedogenicity Unknown

Our Assessment

Verdict

Valuable

Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate is a valuable anionic surfactant, capable of providing effective cleansing and rich lather, particularly when precisely formulated within appropriate concentration ranges to mitigate its potential for irritation.

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