Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate is a mild anionic surfactant, widely used as a cleansing and foaming agent in personal-care products such as shampoos, body washes, and facial cleansers.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionates general chemical structure is based on a fatty acid (lauroyl group) linked to methyl isethionate and neutralized with sodium.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate belongs to the class of isethionate surfactants.
CAS Number: 928663-45-0
Molecular Formula: C15H30O5S.Na
Molecular Weight: 344.44253
Synonyms: Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, 813-136-8, DODECANOIC ACID, METHYL-2-SULFOETHYL ESTER, SODIUM SALT (1:1), DTXCID801520241, DTXSID40892007, II6VCD3S6R, ISELUX, RefChem:887646, SODIUM LAUROYL METHYL ISETHIONATE [INCI], 928663-45-0, SLMI;SodiumlauryloxChemicalbookyethylsulfonate;sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate consists of a hydrophobic lauroyl (C12) fatty chain and a hydrophilic isethionate sulfonate group (–SO₃⁻).
This amphiphilic structure allows interaction with both water and oils.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate provides effective surface activity.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate appears as a white to off-white solid (flakes, granules, or powder).
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate is dispersible in water and forms creamy, stable foam.
It has a mild characteristic odor.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate exhibits excellent cleansing and foaming properties, especially producing a dense, creamy lather.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate effectively removes oils and dirt.
This improves product performance.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate is known for its very mild skin compatibility, compared to harsher surfactants like sulfates.
It causes less irritation and dryness.
This makes it suitable for sensitive skin.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate shows good stability over a wide pH range, especially in mildly acidic to neutral conditions.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate is compatible with many formulation ingredients.
This enhances versatility.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate also provides conditioning and soft after-feel on skin and hair.
It reduces the harshness of cleansing systems.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate is best described as a mild, sulfate-free anionic surfactant used for gentle cleansing and rich foam formation, especially in modern personal-care formulations.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate belongs to the family of isethionate surfactants, which are known for their mildness and high performance.
They are often used as alternatives to sulfate-based surfactants.
This makes them popular in gentle formulations.
The molecule contains a sulfonate group (–SO₃⁻) instead of a sulfate group.
This structural difference contributes to lower irritation potential.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate improves skin compatibility.
SLMI produces a dense, creamy foam rather than large, airy bubbles.
This foam is stable and long-lasting.
It enhances the sensory experience of products.
The surfactant exhibits good hard-water tolerance, maintaining performance in the presence of calcium and magnesium ions.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate is less affected by water hardness.
This ensures consistent cleansing.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate shows low protein denaturation potential, meaning it is less likely to damage skin proteins.
This contributes to its mildness.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate is suitable for sensitive skin products.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate is often used in synergistic blends with other surfactants, such as amphoteric or nonionic types.
These combinations improve foam, viscosity, and mildness.
This enhances formulation flexibility.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate exhibits strong interfacial activity, allowing it to effectively reduce surface tension between water and oils.
This enables efficient removal of sebum and dirt.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate supports gentle but effective cleansing.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate shows excellent compatibility with skin lipids, helping maintain the natural moisture barrier.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate does not excessively strip oils from the skin.
This contributes to a soft after-feel.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate demonstrates good stability in mildly acidic formulations, which are typical for skin and hair care products.
It performs well around skin-friendly pH levels.
This enhances product suitability.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate can contribute to improved rinseability, allowing products to wash off easily without residue.
This improves user experience.
Cosmetics Ingredients Functions CLEANSING
SURFACTANT - CLEANSING
InChI InChI=1S/C15H30O5S.Na/c1-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-14(17)15(2,13-16)21(18,19)20;/h16H,3-13H2,1-2H3,(H,18,19,20);/q;+1/p-1
InChIKey SQFQAHDTFMMSFO-UHFFFAOYSA-M
SMILES [Na+].C(C(=O)CCCCCCCCCCC)(S([O-])(=O)=O)(CO)C
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate is the chemical name for the sodium salt of the methyl lauric acid ester of isethionic acid.
It serves as a surfactant and cleaning agent in cosmetics and personal care items.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate is a very gentle cleaning agent with rich, luxurious foam and a refined after-feel.
Additionally, it is very well soluble in water, making it rinsable.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate is an alternative to a more widely known surfactant, sodium cocoyl isethionate.
As a raw material, sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate is often available as white-to-off-white flakes or chips.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate, or SLMI, is a mild anionic surfactant derived from coconut oil and is sulfate-free.
Unlike SCI (Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate), which creates opaque products, SLMI has excellent water solubility, making it possible to create transparent, sulfate-free shampoo formulations.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate is often used in conjunction with CAPB.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate is produced by ethoxylation, making it an environmentally unfriendly ingredient.
It is prohibited in the COSMOS specifications.
The compound has good biodegradability, especially when derived from natural fatty acids like coconut oil.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate is considered more environmentally friendly than some traditional surfactants.
This supports sustainable formulations.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate can influence viscosity and rheology when combined with other ingredients.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate helps create creamy, stable product textures.
This improves product quality.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate is a high-performance, mild anionic surfactant with excellent foaming, skin compatibility, and formulation flexibility, widely used in modern sulfate-free personal-care systems.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate leaves a clean, non-greasy feel.
The surfactant has low irritation potential for eyes and skin, making it suitable for delicate applications.
It is often used in baby-care and facial products.
This highlights its mildness.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate supports foam stability even in the presence of oils, maintaining lather during use.
This is important in cleansing products.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate ensures consistent performance.
It can help reduce the harshness of stronger surfactants when used in blends.
It acts as a mildness enhancer.
This improves overall formulation balance.
The compound contributes to smooth and creamy texture formation in liquid and solid cleansers.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate enhances product aesthetics.
This improves consumer appeal.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate is a mild, efficient surfactant that balances cleansing power with skin compatibility, making it ideal for high-quality personal-care formulations.
Uses:
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate has advantages such as dense and rich foam, very gentle products, smooth skin after washing, strong cleaning power, and biodegradability, and is widely used in the formulation of beauty soaps, baby soaps, and personal care products.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate (SLMI) is widely used in shampoos and hair cleansers as a mild primary or co-surfactant.
It provides gentle cleansing and rich, creamy foam.
This improves hair feel and scalp comfort.
In body washes and shower gels, it acts as a cleansing and foaming agent.
It produces stable, luxurious lather.
This enhances user experience.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate is used in facial cleansers and micellar-type products for gentle skin cleansing.
It removes dirt and oil without excessive dryness.
This is suitable for sensitive skin.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate is applied in baby-care products, such as baby shampoos and washes.
Its low irritation profile makes it safe for delicate skin.
This ensures mild cleansing.
In syndet bars (synthetic detergent bars), it functions as a key surfactant.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate provides structure and creamy foam.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate is used in sulfate-free formulations as an alternative to harsher surfactants.
It helps maintain mildness while ensuring effective cleansing.
This supports modern formulation trends.
In 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioning products, it contributes to both cleansing and a soft after-feel.
It works well with conditioning agents.
This enhances multifunctional performance.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate is applied in liquid hand soaps and hygiene products.
It provides effective cleaning with reduced irritation.
This improves skin tolerance during frequent use.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate is also used in premium and dermatological formulations where mildness is critical.
It helps maintain skin barrier integrity.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate is used wherever gentle cleansing, rich foam, and low irritation are required, especially in shampoos, body washes, facial cleansers, and sulfate-free personal-care products.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate (SLMI) is used in solid shampoo bars and cleansing bars as a primary surfactant.
It provides structure and creamy foam in solid formats.
This supports water-free formulations.
In sensitive-skin and dermatological cleansers, it is selected for its mildness.
It helps cleanse without disrupting the skin barrier.
This improves skin tolerance.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate is applied in after-sun and soothing cleansing products.
It gently removes impurities without irritating already sensitive skin.
This enhances comfort.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate is used in men’s grooming products, such as face washes and shaving cleansers.
It improves lubrication and foam quality.
This supports smooth application.
In intimate hygiene products, it is chosen for its low irritation and pH compatibility.
It helps maintain delicate skin balance.
This ensures gentle cleansing.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate is used in luxury and premium cosmetic formulations to create rich, creamy textures.
It enhances sensory experience.
This increases product appeal.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate is applied in eco-friendly and biodegradable formulations as a sulfate-free surfactant.
It aligns with green chemistry trends.
This supports sustainable product design.
In makeup removal and cleansing systems, it helps solubilize oils and residues.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate provides effective yet gentle cleansing.
This improves product performance.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate is also used in frequent-use hygiene products, such as hand washes and daily cleansers.
It minimizes irritation from repeated washing.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate is used wherever mild, sulfate-free cleansing with rich foam and skin compatibility is required, especially in advanced, sensitive-skin, and eco-conscious personal-care formulations.
Safety Profile:
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate is generally considered to have low hazard potential, especially compared to harsher anionic surfactants such as sulfates.
It is widely used in personal-care products due to its mildness.
However, concentrated forms require standard handling precautions.
Skin contact is typically low risk, but prolonged exposure to concentrated material may cause mild irritation or dryness.
Sensitive individuals may experience slight redness.
Protective gloves are recommended in industrial handling.
Eye contact may cause mild to moderate irritation.
Symptoms can include redness, watering, and discomfort.
Eyes should be rinsed thoroughly with water if exposure occurs.
Inhalation of dust (for powdered forms) may cause respiratory irritation.
Symptoms can include coughing or throat irritation.
Adequate ventilation and dust control are important.
Ingestion is considered low toxicity, but large amounts may cause gastrointestinal discomfort.
It is not intended for oral consumption.
Medical advice should be sought if necessary.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate is not highly flammable, but like many organic solids, it can burn under high heat.
Fine particles may present a dust explosion risk in industrial environments.
Proper dust management is required.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate is chemically stable under normal conditions, but should be stored in a dry, sealed container to avoid moisture absorption.
Proper storage ensures product quality.
Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate should be kept away from strong oxidizing agents.
From an environmental perspective, SLMI is biodegradable and relatively low in toxicity, but high concentrations may affect aquatic systems due to surfactant activity.
Spills should be controlled and disposed of properly.