What Is Disodium Lauramido Peg-2 Sulfosuccinate?
Disodium Lauramido Peg-2 Sulfosuccinate is a mild surfactant made from lauric acid, a fatty acid naturally found in coconut and palm oils. Chemically, it is the disodium salt of a sulfonated succinic ester that has been linked to a short polyethylene glycol chain. This structure lets the ingredient attract both water and oil, which is why it works so well for washing away dirt and excess sebum.
The compound was first developed in the mid-20th century when formulators were searching for gentler alternatives to traditional sulfates. Its success in baby shampoos and sensitive skin cleansers quickly put it on the map, and refinements in production have kept it popular. Today manufacturers create it by reacting lauric acid with ammonia to form lauramido-amine, then adding ethylene oxide to build the Peg-2 chain, and finally treating the mixture with maleic anhydride and sodium bisulfite to add the sulfosuccinate group.
You will most often see Disodium Lauramido Peg-2 Sulfosuccinate in face and body cleansers, sulfate-free shampoos, bubble baths, micellar waters, makeup removers, shaving creams, exfoliating scrubs, hand soaps and even sheet mask essences where a light foam is desirable.
Disodium Lauramido Peg-2 Sulfosuccinate’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
This versatile ingredient contributes to a formula in several helpful ways:
- Cleansing: Lifts away oil, sweat and product buildup without stripping the skin or hair of essential moisture
- Foaming: Creates a soft creamy lather that makes products feel pleasant and easy to spread
- Skin conditioning: Leaves a silky finish that helps skin feel smooth after rinsing
- Foam boosting: Enhances and stabilizes bubbles when used alongside other surfactants, improving overall performance
- Hydrotrope: Helps keep oil-based and water-based ingredients evenly mixed, preventing separation in the bottle
Who Can Use Disodium Lauramido Peg-2 Sulfosuccinate
Because it is a gentle surfactant with a near neutral pH, Disodium Lauramido Peg-2 Sulfosuccinate tends to agree with most skin types including sensitive, dry, normal and oily skin. Its mildness makes it popular in baby washes and in cleansers formulated for conditions such as eczema or rosacea where harsher sulfates can cause flare-ups. People with very allergy-prone skin should still check for personal sensitivities to coconut or palm derivatives, as the molecule is sourced from those oils.
The ingredient is plant derived and contains no animal by-products so it is suitable for both vegans and vegetarians. As always, ethical buyers may wish to verify that the finished product is certified cruelty free.
Current safety assessments find no health concerns for pregnant or breastfeeding women when the compound is used topically in rinse-off or leave-on products. This is general information only and is not medical advice; anyone who is expecting or nursing should run any skincare formula past a qualified healthcare provider to be sure it fits their individual situation.
Disodium Lauramido Peg-2 Sulfosuccinate does not increase the skin’s sensitivity to sunlight and will not interfere with sunscreen performance. It is also color-safe for dyed hair and is compatible with most other common cosmetic actives.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Reactions to the topical use of Disodium Lauramido Peg-2 Sulfosuccinate can vary from person to person. The points below cover potential side effects only and are not expected to occur for the average user when the ingredient is properly formulated and used as directed.
- Mild skin irritation or stinging if used in very high concentrations or on already compromised skin
- Transient eye irritation if the lather accidentally gets into the eyes
- Rare allergic contact dermatitis in individuals sensitive to coconut or palm derivatives
- Excessive dryness if overused in multiple cleansing steps throughout the day
- Possible cumulative irritation when combined with several other anionic surfactants in the same routine
- Trace residual impurities like 1,4-dioxane if the manufacturing process is poorly controlled, though reputable brands test to keep these well below safety limits
If you notice redness, itching or any persistent discomfort while using a product that contains this ingredient stop using it and consult a healthcare professional or dermatologist for guidance.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 1 out of 5
Disodium Lauramido Peg-2 Sulfosuccinate is a large water-soluble molecule that mostly stays on the surface until it is rinsed away, so it has very little chance of building up inside pores. It is an anionic surfactant rather than an oil, which further lowers the likelihood of clogging. For these reasons formulators and dermatologists generally consider it non-comedogenic in practical use.
Suitable for acne-prone or breakout-prone skin in both facial and body products.
If a formula contains heavy oils or butters alongside this surfactant the overall product could still be pore-clogging, so always judge the full ingredient list, not just one component.
Summary
Disodium Lauramido Peg-2 Sulfosuccinate works as a gentle cleanser, foam creator, skin conditioner, foam stabilizer and hydrotrope. Its amphiphilic structure lets the oily lauric acid tail grab sebum while the sulfosuccinate head binds to water so dirt lifts off easily and rinses clean. The short Peg-2 chain softens the harshness often seen with traditional sulfates, which is why the ingredient leaves skin and hair feeling smooth rather than stripped.
You will spot it in many sulfate-free shampoos, baby washes, mild face cleansers, bubble baths and micellar waters because it delivers a lush lather without the irritation linked to stronger detergents. While it is not as famous as sodium lauryl sulfate, its steady presence in sensitive-skin lines shows its growing popularity among formulators seeking milder options.
Safety reviews find it low-risk for topical use with very rare reports of irritation or allergy. As with any new skincare product it is wise to patch test first to make sure your individual skin agrees with the full formula before applying it more broadly.