What Is Sodium Hydrolyzed Potato Starch Dodecenylsuccinate?
Sodium Hydrolyzed Potato Starch Dodecenylsuccinate is a plant-derived surfactant made from potato starch. First, the starch is broken down into smaller sugar chains called dextrins. These dextrins react with dodecenylsuccinic anhydride, a fatty acid-like compound that gives the molecule its cleansing ability. The final step is neutralizing the mixture with a small amount of sodium to create a water-soluble salt that is easy to use in cosmetic formulas.
The ingredient rose to popularity in the early 2000s as brands looked for gentle, biodegradable cleansers that could replace harsher sulfates. Because it is sourced from potatoes, a renewable crop grown worldwide, it fits well with the clean beauty movement and offers a mild alternative suitable for sensitive skin.
Formulators like this material for its balanced profile of mild cleansing and rich foam, so you will often find it in everyday rinse-off products such as shampoos, face washes, body washes, foaming bath bombs, baby cleansers and micellar waters. It can also appear in sheet mask essences and exfoliating powders where a touch of foam helps lift away excess oil and debris.
Sodium Hydrolyzed Potato Starch Dodecenylsuccinate’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
This ingredient brings two main functions to a formula, each offering its own benefit to the finished product.
- Cleansing: The molecule loosens and lifts away dirt, oil and makeup without stripping the skin’s natural moisture barrier, making it ideal for gentle daily cleansers
- Foam Boosting: It creates a dense creamy lather that improves the sensory feel of a wash-off product and helps the cleanser spread more evenly across hair or skin
Who Can Use Sodium Hydrolyzed Potato Starch Dodecenylsuccinate
This mild plant based surfactant suits most skin types including dry, normal, combination and oily skin because it cleans without harsh stripping. People with very sensitive or eczema-prone skin often tolerate it better than stronger sulfate cleansers, though individual reactions can still occur.
Since it comes from potato starch and contains no animal-derived material it is suitable for vegans and vegetarians.
No specific data links the ingredient to pregnancy or breastfeeding risks. It is considered low concern in rinse-off products, yet this is not medical advice and anyone who is pregnant or nursing should review any skincare routine with a qualified healthcare professional.
The molecule does not make skin more reactive to sunlight, so it is not regarded as photosensitizing.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Reactions to topical Sodium Hydrolyzed Potato Starch Dodecenylsuccinate differ from person to person. The points below outline potential side effects, though most users experience none when the ingredient is formulated and used correctly.
- Mild skin irritation such as redness or a stinging feeling, usually in very sensitive individuals
- Eye irritation if a foaming product accidentally gets into the eyes
- Contact dermatitis in rare cases for people allergic to potato derived substances or succinic anhydride derivatives
If you notice any of these reactions stop using the product and consult a healthcare professional if symptoms do not improve promptly.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 1 (very low likelihood of clogging pores)
Sodium Hydrolyzed Potato Starch Dodecenylsuccinate is a water-soluble surfactant that quickly rinses away rather than lingering on skin. Although it contains a fatty side chain from dodecenylsuccinic anhydride, the molecule is highly modified and designed to disperse in water, which keeps it from accumulating inside pores. For this reason it earns a near non-comedogenic score of 1.
Acne-prone users generally tolerate the ingredient well because it is lightweight, non-occlusive and used mainly in rinse-off formulas.
Formulas that combine this surfactant with heavy oils, waxes or butters could still pose a pore-clogging risk, so product context matters more than the ingredient alone.
Summary
Sodium Hydrolyzed Potato Starch Dodecenylsuccinate is a plant-derived cleanser and foam booster that lifts away dirt and oil while creating a rich lather. It accomplishes this by pairing the water-loving dextrin backbone with a small oil-loving side chain, allowing it to surround grime and wash it down the drain.
The ingredient enjoyed a spike in popularity when brands began swapping sulfates for milder, eco-friendly options, and it still appears in a steady stream of shampoos, face washes and body cleansers, though it remains more of a niche choice than a mainstream staple.
Overall safety data show a low irritation profile, no evidence of hormonal activity and virtually no comedogenicity, especially in rinse-off use. As with any new skincare product, patch testing on a small area first is a smart precaution for those with sensitive or reactive skin.