What Is Disodium Isostearyl Sulfosuccinate?
Disodium Isostearyl Sulfosuccinate is a mild surfactant made by joining isostearyl alcohol, a fatty alcohol that can be sourced from vegetable oils like coconut or rapeseed, with sulfosuccinic acid then neutralizing the mix with sodium. The result is a salt that looks like an amber liquid and mixes easily with water and oils.
The ingredient first appeared in the 1960s when formulators were hunting for surfactants that cleaned well yet felt gentle on skin and hair. Its balanced oily and water-loving parts gave it the mixability brands needed for the new wave of creamy shampoos and body washes.
To manufacture it, chemists react isostearyl alcohol with maleic anhydride to form an ester, add sodium bisulfite to introduce the sulfonate group, then neutralize the final product with sodium hydroxide. This controlled process keeps the molecule mild while preserving good foaming strength.
You will spot Disodium Isostearyl Sulfosuccinate in facial cleansers, micellar waters, shampoo, body wash, bath bombs, shaving cream, exfoliating scrubs, sheet masks, makeup removers and even some leave-on lotions where a light cleansing touch is helpful.
Disodium Isostearyl Sulfosuccinate’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
Formulators like this ingredient because it performs several useful jobs at once.
- Cleansing – lifts away dirt, oil and makeup without stripping the skin’s natural moisture
- Foaming – creates a rich lather that helps spread the product and gives users a sensory cue that the formula is working
- Skin Conditioning – leaves behind a thin emollient film that makes skin and hair feel soft and smooth after rinsing
- Foam Boosting – paired with other surfactants it enhances and stabilizes bubbles so the foam lasts longer during use
- Hydrotrope – helps keep oils, fragrances and other hard-to-dissolve ingredients evenly dispersed which improves clarity and shelf life
Who Can Use Disodium Isostearyl Sulfosuccinate
This gentle surfactant suits nearly every skin type including dry, normal, combination, oily and even sensitive skin because its cleansing action is mild and it leaves a light conditioning film that helps reduce tightness after washing. Exceptionally reactive or broken skin may still feel a slight sting so patchy or inflamed areas should be treated with extra care.
The starting fatty alcohol can be sourced from plant oils and the rest of the process is synthetic, which means the finished material is typically free from animal derivatives making it appropriate for vegans and vegetarians. As always, check the brand’s sourcing statement if strict cruelty-free or palm-free status is important to you.
Current safety data show no reproductive toxicity and the molecule is not known to penetrate deeply, so products containing Disodium Isostearyl Sulfosuccinate are generally considered safe for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding. This is informational only—expectant or nursing mothers should run any skincare choices past a qualified healthcare provider.
The ingredient is not photosensitising so it will not make skin more prone to sunburn. It also plays well with most other cosmetic ingredients and is stable across the usual pH range in cleansers and makeup removers.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Responses to topical ingredients vary from person to person. The points below list potential side effects that could occur, yet most users will not experience them when the product is well formulated and used as directed.
- Mild skin irritation such as temporary redness itching or stinging
- Dryness or tight feeling if left on the skin too long or used in very high concentration
- Eye irritation if the product accidentally gets into the eyes
- Allergic contact dermatitis in individuals sensitive to sulfonate or fatty alcohol derivatives
If you notice any of the reactions above discontinue use and seek advice from a healthcare professional or dermatologist.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 1 / 5. Disodium Isostearyl Sulfosuccinate is a water-soluble salt that rinses away easily and leaves only a whisper-thin conditioning film, so it has very little tendency to clog pores. Its fatty portion is branched rather than straight-chain, which further reduces the chance of it packing into pores. Because it is usually used in wash-off products, contact time is short, cutting the risk even more.
Suitable for acne-prone or breakout-prone skin in most rinse-off formulas.
As with any surfactant, the overall comedogenicity of a finished product depends on the full ingredient mix and how well it is rinsed off.
Summary
Disodium Isostearyl Sulfosuccinate is a multitasking surfactant that cleanses, creates foam, conditions skin and hair, boosts other foaming agents and keeps oily ingredients dispersed. It does this by pairing an oil-loving isostearyl tail with a water-loving sulfonate head, letting it grab dirt and oil then lift them away when you rinse.
While not as famous as sulfates or modern amino acid surfactants, it has a steady following among formulators looking for a gentle cleanse with a silky after-feel, so you will spot it in boutique cleansers, some mass-market micellar waters and creamy shampoos.
Current safety data rate it as low toxicity with minimal irritation potential, making it a low-risk choice for most users. That said, everyone’s skin is unique so it is smart to patch test any new product to be safe.