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SODIUM LAURYL SULFOACETATE

Last update on Mar 12, 2026

Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate (SLSA) is a mild, anionic surfactant derived from coconut and/or palm kernel oil. It is one of the gentlest "sulfate-like" cleansing agents, producing rich, dense, creamy foam with excellent rinsability and low irritation potential. This white to off-white powder or granular solid is a favorite in natural, sulfate-free, and sensitive-skin formulations. It is widely used in solid shampoo bars, bath bombs, bubble baths, facial cleansers, body washes, and syndet bars, delivering luxurious lather, gentle cleansing, and a soft after-feel without stripping the skin or hair.

CAS Number: 1847-58-1Chem/IUPAC Name: Sodium 2-(dodecyloxy)-2-oxoethane-1-sulphonateEINECS/ELINCS No: 217-431-7COSING REF No: 37947

Products with SODIUM LAURYL SULFOACETATE

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LATHANOL® LAL Coarse

by Stepan Company

INCI: SODIUM LAURYL SULFOACETATE

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LATHANOL® LAL Powder

by Stepan Company

INCI: SODIUM LAURYL SULFOACETATE

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STEPAN-MILD® LSB

by Stepan Company

INCI: DISODIUM LAURETH SULFOSUCCINATE | SODIUM LAURYL SULFOACETATE

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What is SODIUM LAURYL SULFOACETATE used for?

Surfactant / Cleansing: Gently removes dirt, oil, and impurities with abundant, long-lasting foam. Frequently used in shampoo bars, bath bombs, bubble baths, and facial cleansers for effective yet mild cleansing.
Foam booster: Creates dense, creamy, stable lather even in hard water. Ideal in sulfate-free and natural products for luxurious sensory experience.
Skin & hair conditioning support: Leaves skin and hair feeling soft and non-dry after rinsing. Common in gentle washes and syndet bars for improved after-feel and reduced irritation.

Origin

Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate is produced synthetically from lauryl alcohol (derived from coconut or palm kernel oil) in a multi-step process:

Lauryl alcohol reacts with chloroacetic acid to form lauryl chloroacetate.
The intermediate is sulfonated with sodium sulfite to introduce the sulfoacetate group. The coconut/palm base is renewable, while the chemical steps are industrial. It is supplied as a free-flowing powder or granules, highly soluble in water, and biodegradable. It is widely used in natural, ECOCERT-compliant, and sulfate-free formulations.

What does SODIUM LAURYL SULFOACETATE do in a formulation?

CLEANSING|

FOAMING|

SURFACTANT|

FOAM BOOSTING|

SKIN CONDITIONING|

HAIR CONDITIONING

Safety Profile

Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate is considered very safe for cosmetic use per the CIR Expert Panel (safe as used). It has a low hazard rating from EWG (typically 1) with minimal concerns for irritation, sensitization, or toxicity. It is significantly milder than SLS/SLES, showing very low eye/skin irritation potential even at higher concentrations (up to 20-30% in some products). It is non-comedogenic, well-tolerated across skin types (including sensitive, baby, and acne-prone), and poses low risk.