What Is Sodium Myristate?
Sodium myristate is the sodium salt of myristic acid, a fatty acid that occurs naturally in coconut oil and palm kernel oil. Chemically it belongs to the class of long-chain fatty acid salts known as soap bases, with a carbon chain length of 14. In its pure form it appears as a white, fine-grained powder or small flakes that dissolve readily in warm water, producing a mild, soapy solution.
The use of fatty acid salts in personal care goes back centuries to early soap making, where animal fats or plant oils were cooked with an alkaline solution to create cleansing bars. As cosmetic science advanced formulators began isolating specific fatty acids, such as myristic acid, to achieve more predictable texture and performance. Sodium myristate gained popularity in the mid-20th century when vegetable-derived raw materials became widely available and consumers started seeking plant-based alternatives to tallow soaps.
Commercially, sodium myristate is made by reacting purified myristic acid with sodium hydroxide in a controlled saponification process. The mixture is then cooled, washed and dried to yield a consistent, high-purity ingredient suited for modern manufacturing standards.
Today you will find sodium myristate in a variety of rinse-off and leave-on products including facial cleansers, body washes, bar soaps, shaving creams, foaming masks, solid shampoo bars, makeup removers and certain cream or lotion formulas where a light, clean after-feel is desired.
Sodium Myristate’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
Formulators rely on sodium myristate because it offers multiple practical benefits in everyday products.
- Cleansing: The ingredient lowers surface tension between oil and water so dirt, excess sebum and daily grime lift away easily when the product is rinsed. It contributes to a creamy lather that feels pleasant on skin while helping deliver a thorough yet gentle clean.
- Emulsifying: In creams and lotions sodium myristate helps keep oil and water components blended, preventing separation over time. This stabilizing action leads to a smoother texture, consistent performance and a longer shelf life for the finished product.
Who Can Use Sodium Myristate
Sodium myristate is generally well tolerated by most skin types including normal, combination, oily and even mildly sensitive skin thanks to its gentle cleansing profile. Very dry or easily irritated skin may sometimes find pure soap bases slightly stripping so balancing formulas with extra moisturizers is helpful.
The ingredient is plant derived when sourced from coconut or palm oils which makes it suitable for vegetarians and vegans. Always look for brands that clearly state a vegetable origin because tallow based soap stocks, while uncommon today, can still be found in some markets.
Pregnant or breastfeeding women can typically use products containing sodium myristate as the ingredient is not known to enter deeper circulation. This is not medical advice and anyone who is expecting or nursing should discuss any new skincare product with a qualified healthcare professional to be safe.
Sodium myristate does not make skin more sensitive to sunlight so special daytime precautions beyond a good broad spectrum sunscreen are unnecessary. It is also free of gluten, soy and common fragrance allergens which widens its compatibility for people with those concerns.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Side effects from topical sodium myristate can vary between individuals. The points below list potential reactions though most people will never experience them when the ingredient is used at typical cosmetic levels.
- Mild dryness or tightness
- Transient redness in very sensitive skin
- Eye irritation if the lather accidentally gets into the eyes
- Allergic contact dermatitis in rare cases of fatty acid sensitivity
If any irritation or discomfort occurs discontinue use and consult a healthcare professional.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 3 / 5
Sodium myristate is derived from myristic acid, a 14-carbon fatty acid that can clog pores when used in high amounts or left on the skin. While converting the acid into its sodium salt reduces the oily residue that typically causes congestion, some of the fatty characteristics remain, giving it a moderate likelihood of contributing to comedones in very blemish-prone skin.
For most users this rating means the ingredient is unlikely to trigger breakouts, especially in rinse-off formulas like cleansers and soaps. Those with highly acne-prone skin may still prefer lower-comedogenic alternatives for leave-on products.
Comedogenicity can rise if a formula contains several other pore-clogging oils or if the product is not fully rinsed, so overall formulation and usage habits matter just as much as the ingredient itself.
Summary
Sodium myristate works primarily as a cleanser and emulsifier. Its soap-like structure lifts oils, makeup and debris while helping water mix evenly with oils in creams or washes, giving products a stable texture and a satisfying lather.
The ingredient is fairly common in traditional bar soaps and is gaining renewed interest in solid shampoo bars and minimal-packaging cleansers, though it competes with milder synthetic surfactants that some brands now favor for ultra-sensitive skin.
Overall safety is high with only occasional dryness or irritation reported, and no systemic health concerns. As with any new skincare product it is wise to patch test on a small area first to check personal tolerance before regular use.