Sodium Laurate
AKA “Sodium dodecanoate, Dodecanoic acid, sodium salt, Lauran sodny, RefChem:887638, DTXCID7024453”
Synthetic
Ingredient Facts
Sodium laurate
AKA: Sodium dodecanoate, Dodecanoic acid, Sodium salt, Lauran sodny, RefChem:887638, DTXCID7024453
Synthetic · Cleansing · EWG: 4
Synthetic
Cleanser
Emulsifier
Plant Oil
Synthetic
Clean
A gentle cleanser that removes dirt and oil while helping the formula blend smoothly. Works to create a soft, creamy lather on skin and hair.
Formula
C12H23NaO2
Mol. Weight
222.30
CAS #
629-25-4
State
Water or Solvent Wet Solid; Liquid
See origin →
Functions
Cleansing
Makes oil and water mix so dirt, makeup, and sunscreen can actually be washed away. The reason your face wash foams.
Cleansing
Makes oil and water mix so dirt, makeup, and sunscreen can actually be washed away. The reason your face wash foams.
Emulsifying
Forces oil and water to stay mixed instead of separating into layers. The unsung hero holding your lotion together.
Surfactant Cleansing
Surfactant Emulsifying
Improves Elasticity
Moisturizing
Locks in moisture to keep skin soft and supple throughout the day
Removes dirt and impurities
Lifts away dirt and oil
Mixes oil and water
Traditional Use
Derived from lauric acid, found traditionally in coconut oil used for centuries in Pacific and Southeast Asian skincare and haircare. The sodium salt form was developed synthetically in the 20th century as a mild soap and cleanser.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Melanin-Rich Skin
Suitable
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
Effects of Sodium Salts of Fatty Acids and Their Derivatives on Skin Permeation of Cromolyn Sodium.
Akinbote OE, Verana G, Dandekar AA, Tijani AO, Mishra D et al.
AAPS PharmSciTech, 2023
Effects of Sodium Salts of Fatty Acids and Their Derivatives on Skin Permeation of Cromolyn Sodium.
Akinbote OE, Verana G, Dandekar AA, Tijani AO, Mishra D et al.
AAPS PharmSciTech, 2023
Sodium Laurate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Sodium Laurate/Linoleate/Oleate/Palmitate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Sodium Laurate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
SODIUM SALT
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Irritancy testing of sodium laurate and other anionic detergents using an open exposure model.
Tupker RA, Vermeulen K, Fidler V, Coenraads PJ
Skin research and technology : official journal of International Society for Bioengineering and the Skin (ISBS) [and] International Society for Digital Imaging of Skin (ISDIS) [and] International Society for Skin Imaging (ISSI), 1997
Verified Feb 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR