What Is Sodium Lauroamphohydroxypropylsulfonate?
Sodium Lauroamphohydroxypropylsulfonate is a mild, water soluble surfactant made by reacting lauric acid derived from coconut or palm oil with propanesulfonic acid, then neutralizing the mixture with sodium. The result is a clear to pale yellow liquid that carries a single negative charge, which helps it mix with water and oils. It first appeared in shampoos and body washes in the late 1980s as brands searched for gentler cleansing agents that still delivered rich foam. Thanks to its balanced charge and ability to play well with other surfactants, formulators quickly adopted it for sulfate free and low pH products. Today you will spot it in foaming facial cleansers, micellar waters, baby shampoos, sulfate free body washes, bubble baths, conditioning cleansers and even some sheet mask essences where extra foam improves spreadability.
Sodium Lauroamphohydroxypropylsulfonate’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
This ingredient pulls double and even triple duty in many formulas, making it a favorite for multitasking products.
- Antistatic: Helps cut down on static electricity so hair lays smoother and is easier to style
- Cleansing: Lifts away dirt, sweat and excess oil without stripping skin or hair of their natural moisture
- Foaming: Produces a dense creamy lather that feels luxurious and helps spread the product evenly
- Hair Conditioning: Leaves a light conditioning film that improves softness and manageability, useful in 2-in-1 shampoos and co-wash formulas
- Foam Boosting: Enhances the performance of other surfactants, letting formulators lower the total surfactant load for a gentler end product
- Hydrotrope: Keeps oil soluble and water soluble ingredients evenly dispersed so the formula stays clear and stable over time
Who Can Use Sodium Lauroamphohydroxypropylsulfonate
This surfactant is gentle enough for all skin types including sensitive, dry, oily and acne prone skin because it cleans without stripping natural lipids. People with extremely reactive skin should still keep an eye out for any tightness or redness since even mild cleansers can occasionally irritate a compromised barrier.
It is typically derived from coconut or palm oil, not animal sources, so products using it are normally suitable for vegans and vegetarians. If you follow a strict plant based lifestyle you may want to confirm that the full formula is free of animal derived additives and that the brand follows cruelty free practices.
Current safety assessments show no reproductive or developmental concerns. Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals can use products containing Sodium Lauroamphohydroxypropylsulfonate, but this is not medical advice and it is always best to run any new skincare or haircare product past a qualified health professional.
The ingredient does not make skin more sensitive to sunlight and does not interfere with sunscreen performance. It is also color safe for dyed hair and non stripping for chemically treated textures.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Side effects and reactions to the topical application of Sodium Lauroamphohydroxypropylsulfonate vary from person to person. The following is a list of potential, but unlikely, issues. Assuming the ingredient has been formulated correctly most users will not experience these effects.
- Mild eye irritation if the product is accidentally rubbed into the eyes before rinsing
- Temporary scalp or skin dryness when used in very high concentrations or with excessively hot water
- Redness or itching in individuals allergic to coconut or palm derivatives
- Contact dermatitis in people with an already compromised skin barrier
If you notice persistent burning, itching or swelling discontinue use and seek advice from a healthcare professional or dermatologist.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 1/5
Sodium Lauroamphohydroxypropylsulfonate is highly water soluble and rinses away without leaving a heavy film so it is very unlikely to block pores. Although it is made from lauric acid, the final molecule is transformed into a charged surfactant that behaves quite differently from raw coconut oil or fatty acids that can be pore clogging. Because it is normally used at low levels and is easily removed with water it earns a low score of 1 rather than a perfect 0.
This means the ingredient is generally suitable for people who are prone to acne or frequent breakouts.
If a product also contains rich butters or occlusive oils those other ingredients, not the surfactant, are more likely to be the culprit behind new blemishes.
Summary
Sodium Lauroamphohydroxypropylsulfonate cleans, creates foam, reduces static, lightly conditions hair, boosts other surfactants and keeps mixed ingredients stable. It does all that by carrying a single negative charge that pulls dirt into the rinse water while its long tail grabs onto oil, and by lowering the surface tension so bubbles form quickly and stay dense.
You will spot it in many sulfate free shampoos, gentle face washes and baby products. It is not as famous as glycerin or coconut oil but formulators like it because it offers multiple benefits in one easy to use liquid.
Current safety reviews find it non toxic, non sensitizing and safe for daily use. Still, everyone’s skin is different so it is smart to do a small patch test whenever you try a new product that includes this or any other surfactant.