INCI: Sodium Lauryl Sarcosinate | Origin: Synthetic (Amino Acid Derived) | Grade: Cosmetic
Functions: Surfactant | Cleansing | Foaming | Antistatic
Used In: Facial Cleansers | Shampoos | Body Wash | Foaming Face Wash | Baby Wash | Shaving Foam | Conditioner Bars | Pet Shampoos
Sulfate Free | Amino Acid Derived | Biodegradable | EO Free | Mild Foam | Skin Compatible
Benefits
- Functions as an anionic surfactant to remove sebum, impurities, and residue from skin and hair.
- Generates a stable, creamy foam that sustains through the cleansing step in rinse-off formulas.
- Derived from sarcosine, an amino acid, which distinguishes it chemically from sulfate-based surfactant systems.
- Compatible with amphoteric, nonionic, and cationic co-surfactants across a broad range of cleansing formula types.
- Performs within a formulation pH window of 5.0 to 8.0, enabling compatibility across diverse formula categories.
- Carries a safety profile assessed by the CIR Expert Panel for cosmetic applications.
- Acts as a foaming agent, producing a consistent lather structure in facial cleansers and shampoos.
- Documented as readily biodegradable, supporting natural and eco-conscious finished product positioning.
Applications
In a facial cleanser designed for daily or twice-daily use, Sodium Lauryl Sarcosinate delivers thorough cleansing at 5 to 15% in the water phase while maintaining compatibility with the skin's acid mantle, making it a structurally sound primary surfactant for sensitive, reactive, or post-procedure skin care ranges. Its amino acid origin distinguishes it chemically from sulfate systems, which positions it cleanly for sulfate-free marketing claims without compromising the cleansing function the formula needs to perform. The interaction between your surfactant concentration, co-surfactant selection, and pH adjustment determines the final skin barrier compatibility of the finished formula.
In shampoo formulations, Sodium Lauryl Sarcosinate performs as the primary or supporting surfactant at 10 to 20% in the water phase, producing a dense, consistent lather without the scalp dryness typically associated with conventional sulfate-based cleansing systems. It is particularly well suited to formulas targeting colour-treated, dry, or scalp-sensitive hair, where the cleansing system must perform without compromising the scalp environment. Final lather density, viscosity, and scalp feel are each influenced by the co-surfactant ratio selected alongside this ingredient.
In body wash and shower gel formulations, Sodium Lauryl Sarcosinate contributes a soft, creamy foam at 10 to 20% that is distinct in character from the high-volume foam of conventional anionic sulfate systems. It performs as the sole surfactant in mild formulas or as the primary base in a multi-surfactant blend, and its compatibility with conditioning polymers supports a post-wash slip effect in the finished product. The co-surfactant selection and conditioning polymer combination determine the final foam volume and skin feel after rinsing.
In baby wash formulations, Sodium Lauryl Sarcosinate provides effective cleansing at 5 to 12% while maintaining a mildness profile appropriate for infant skin that is still developing its natural acid mantle. Its CIR-assessed safety profile supports its use in this category, and its compatibility with soothing actives including panthenol and allantoin makes it a structurally complete base for sensitive baby care ranges. The preservative system and pH selection at this concentration level are the variables that determine the regulatory and safety profile of the finished baby product.
In a foaming face wash designed for pump or foam dispenser formats, Sodium Lauryl Sarcosinate performs at 3 to 8% in a diluted water phase, where its foaming function activates efficiently in pump-induced aeration and delivers an immediate visible foam on dispense. This format is popular for oily and combination skin types and for twice-daily cleansing routines where the consumer expects a high-volume foam from a low-product output. Whether the foam volume and skin feel match the product brief depends on the co-surfactant selected and the total active matter concentration of the surfactant system.
How to Use
For Facial Cleanser Add Sodium Lauryl Sarcosinate to the water phase at 5 to 15% and adjust the finished formula pH to between 5.0 and 6.5 before stability assessment. The co-surfactant selection, thickener, and active ingredient load each interact with your surfactant concentration to determine the final skin feel and stability profile of your formula.
For Shampoo Incorporate Sodium Lauryl Sarcosinate into the water phase at 10 to 20% alongside your chosen co-surfactant, then adjust pH to 5.0 to 6.0 before introducing fragrance and conditioning agents. Lather density, scalp compatibility, and viscosity are each influenced by the ratio of your co-surfactant to this ingredient, and calibration is required per hair type target.
For Body Wash Use Sodium Lauryl Sarcosinate at 10 to 20% in the water phase and introduce conditioning actives and fragrance after the surfactant blend is pH adjusted to 5.5 to 6.5. The final foam character and post-wash skin feel depend on the co-surfactant and conditioning polymer selected for your specific formula.
For Baby Wash Start Sodium Lauryl Sarcosinate at 5 to 12% in the water phase and adjust the finished formula pH to 6.0 to 7.0 for infant skin compatibility. The preservative system selection at this pH range is the critical variable that determines the regulatory and safety profile of your finished baby product.
For Foaming Face Wash Use Sodium Lauryl Sarcosinate at 3 to 8% in the water phase of a foaming pump or foam dispenser format, with pH adjusted to 5.0 to 6.5. Total active matter concentration and co-surfactant ratio determine whether the foam output matches your product brief across different pump and dispenser systems.
For formulation ratios, batch guidance, and troubleshooting support, contact the CosmySupplies team directly. WhatsApp: Click here to WhatsApp | Email: support@cosmysupplies.com
Claims You Can Make
For your label and marketing: Sulfate Free | EO Free | Amino Acid Derived | Free from SLS | Biodegradable | Mild Cleanser | Suitable for Sensitive Skin Formulations
For your formulator brief: Surfactant (INCI confirmed) | Cleansing Agent (INCI confirmed) | Foaming Agent (INCI confirmed) | Antistatic (INCI confirmed) | CIR safety assessed for cosmetic applications
Technical Information
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| INCI Name | Sodium Lauryl Sarcosinate |
| CAS Number | 137-16-6 |
| EINECS Number | 205-281-5 |
| Physical Form | Clear to slightly hazy viscous liquid |
| Colour | Colourless to pale yellow |
| Odour | Mild, characteristic |
| Origin | Synthetic, amino acid-derived (sarcosine + lauric acid) |
| Active Matter / Solid Content | Approximately 29 to 32% (confirm from your COA) |
| pH (neat, as supplied) | 7.0 to 9.0 |
| pH in Formula | 5.0 to 6.5 for rinse-off cleansers and shampoos. 6.0 to 7.0 for baby care formulations. |
| Solubility | Water soluble. Not oil-soluble. Add to the water phase only. |
| Recommended Usage Rate | Facial Cleanser: 5 to 15% |
| Shelf Life | 2 years |
| Storage | Cool, dry conditions. Avoid freezing and temperatures above 40°C. Keep container tightly closed. |
| Purity | Solid content 29.0 to 32.0% (confirm from your COA) |
| Bulk Enquiries | support@cosmysupplies.com |
Pairs Well With
Cocamidopropyl Betaine is the most common co-surfactant pairing with Sodium Lauryl Sarcosinate, functioning as an amphoteric foam booster that increases lather density, improves post-rinse conditioning feel, and builds viscosity in the finished cleanser or shampoo base. The proportion of betaine relative to your sarcosinate determines final foam character, mildness level, and viscosity, and this ratio requires calibration against your full preservative and active ingredient system before the formula is stable.
Decyl Glucoside pairs naturally with Sodium Lauryl Sarcosinate to build a complete mild cleansing base for sensitive skin and baby care ranges, with both ingredients contributing a rounded, controlled foam without the harshness spikes of conventional anionic-only surfactant systems. The ratio between the glucoside and the sarcosinate shifts the balance between foam volume and mildness, and this ratio changes depending on your target product category and the skin type you are formulating for.
Glycerin added to the water phase of any Sodium Lauryl Sarcosinate-based cleanser or shampoo introduces a humectant function that counters the surface dryness surfactant activity can leave behind, improving post-wash hydration feel without affecting the stability of the surfactant blend. The concentration needed to produce a perceptible difference in post-wash moisturised feel varies by skin type, local climate, and application format.
Xanthan Gum is the cleanest thickening route for Sodium Lauryl Sarcosinate-based formulas, building viscosity in the water phase without requiring electrolyte thickening, which can destabilise sarcosinate systems at certain concentrations, and producing a fluid, pourable gel texture appropriate for pump dispensers and lotion bottles. The concentration of Xanthan needed to reach your target flow depends on the active matter content of your surfactant inputs, your water hardness, and whether conditioning actives are present in the system.
Panthenol (Vitamin B5) at 1 to 3% in a Sodium Lauryl Sarcosinate cleanser or shampoo base delivers a lightweight conditioning effect on both skin and hair, improving post-wash smoothness and reducing the tightness that cleansing activity can leave on sensitive or dry skin types. The concentration needed to produce a perceptible conditioning result in hair varies by hair type, water temperature, and whether a cationic conditioning polymer is also active in the system.
Allantoin at 0.5 to 1% in a Sodium Lauryl Sarcosinate-based baby wash or sensitive skin cleanser introduces a soothing, skin-calming effect that complements the mildness profile of the surfactant system, supporting a skin conditioning finish appropriate for post-cleansing recovery in reactive or compromised skin. Whether a perceptible soothing result is achieved depends on the concentration, the preservative system, and the final pH of the finished formula.
Important Information
Note for this ingredient: Sodium Lauryl Sarcosinate, as supplied, has a pH of 7.0 to 9.0. Always adjust the pH of the finished formulation to the appropriate range for your product category before any stability or compatibility assessment. Formulators are advised to evaluate the complete surfactant system, including all co-surfactants and actives, as a combined system before skin and scalp compatibility testing.
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Raw materials of natural or synthetic origin may show variation in colour, odour, and physical properties between batches due to factors including input sourcing, processing conditions, and batch variation. These variations are inherent to the material and do not indicate a change in quality or function.
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