What Is Disodium Myristamido Mea-Sulfosuccinate?
Disodium Myristamido Mea-Sulfosuccinate is a mild, water-soluble surfactant made from myristic acid, a fatty acid that naturally occurs in coconut and palm kernel oils. Chemically it belongs to the sulfosuccinate family, meaning its backbone is built on succinic acid that carries a sulfonate group. The ingredient is produced through a few main steps: first the plant-derived myristic acid is reacted with monoethanolamine to create an amide, next that amide is coupled with maleic anhydride to form a sulfosuccinate half-ester, then the final mixture is neutralized with sodium hydroxide to give the disodium salt we see on labels.
Sulfosuccinates were introduced in the 1950s as gentler alternatives to traditional soaps and sulfates. Their ability to clean skin and hair without stripping away too much natural oil quickly made them popular in personal care labs, and over time formulators discovered that the myristic acid version offered an especially good balance of foam, mildness and affordability.
Today you will spot Disodium Myristamido Mea-Sulfosuccinate in foaming cleansers, shampoos, body washes, bubble baths, facial masks that need a rinse-off phase, shaving creams and even some micellar waters or baby washes where extra gentleness is required.
Disodium Myristamido Mea-Sulfosuccinate’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
Formulators lean on this ingredient because it pulls double duty in several ways, delivering not just cleansing but also a pleasant sensorial experience.
- Cleansing – lifts away dirt, sweat and excess oil so skin and hair feel fresh and balanced
- Foaming – creates a rich lather that helps spread the product easily and signals cleanliness to users
- Foam Boosting – partners with other surfactants to increase both the volume and stability of bubbles, useful in low-sulfate or sulfate-free formulas
- Hydrotrope – improves the solubility of oily or fragrance components in water, keeping the formula clear and uniform
Who Can Use Disodium Myristamido Mea-Sulfosuccinate
This surfactant is considered gentle enough for most skin and hair types including normal, oily, combination and even sensitive skin because it cleans without aggressively stripping natural lipids. Extremely dry or compromised skin may still prefer richer cream cleansers since any lathering agent can feel a bit tight if the barrier is already weak.
The raw material is typically sourced from coconut or palm kernel oil, so it is suitable for vegans and vegetarians. No animal-derived intermediates are used during manufacture.
Topical use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding is generally viewed as low risk since the molecule stays on the skin surface and rinses away, however this is not medical advice. Expectant or nursing mothers should show the full ingredient list of any product to their healthcare provider before use to be safe.
Disodium Myristamido Mea-Sulfosuccinate does not make skin more sensitive to sunlight and can be used alongside daytime SPF without extra precautions.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Responses to any cosmetic ingredient differ from person to person. The effects listed below are possible but uncommon when the product is well formulated and used as directed.
- Mild transient stinging if the formula gets into the eyes
- Temporary dryness or tightness on very dehydration-prone skin
- Low incidence of contact irritation such as redness or itching, especially with over-cleansing
- Rare allergic contact dermatitis for individuals sensitive to sulfosuccinate detergents
If discomfort, rash or any unexpected reaction occurs stop using the product and consult a qualified medical professional for assessment and guidance.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 1 / 5
Disodium Myristamido Mea-Sulfosuccinate is highly water soluble, so it rinses off skin and hair instead of sitting on the surface and clogging pores. Its myristic acid backbone is converted into a salt form that does not behave like heavy oils or waxes often linked to breakouts. Because of this it earns a low score of 1.
That means it is generally suitable for people who are prone to acne or frequent breakouts.
If the finished formula pairs this surfactant with rich emollients or occlusive agents the overall product could still feel heavy on very oily skin, but the surfactant itself is not a pore blocker.
Summary
Disodium Myristamido Mea-Sulfosuccinate cleanses skin and hair, builds a soft dense lather, boosts the foam of other surfactants and helps keep oily fragrance parts dissolved in water based formulas. It does all that by using its sulfonate head to grab water while its fatty tail reaches for oil, which lifts grime then carries it away when you rinse.
The ingredient is a familiar face in modern sulfate free shampoos, gentle face washes and baby cleansers, though it is not as famous as classics like sodium lauryl sulfate. Formulators like it because it is mild, affordable and plant derived.
Safety data shows a low risk of irritation, eye sting or allergy when used as directed. Still, skin is personal so try a small patch when testing any new product that lists it, just to be safe.