DISODIUM LAURYL SULFOSUCCINATE
DISODIUM LAURYL SULFOSUCCINATE is an anionic surfactant: its structure combines a long segment with a charged segment. That arrangement lets it sit between water and oily material, which is useful when a rinse-off product needs to spread through residue and carry it away.
DISODIUM LAURYL SULFOSUCCINATE: what it is
DISODIUM LAURYL SULFOSUCCINATE is an anionic surfactant: its structure combines a long segment with a charged segment. That arrangement lets it sit between water and oily material, which is useful when a rinse-off product needs to spread through residue and carry it away.
It is not a botanical extract or a plant oil. Its chemical name identifies a disodium salt of lauryl sulfosuccinate; “lauryl” refers to the molecule’s long chain, while “sulfosuccinate” identifies the charged portion. Although both names contain “lauryl,” it is not the same ingredient as a lauryl sulfate; they are different chemical structures and are listed separately for cosmetic use.
DISODIUM LAURYL SULFOSUCCINATE: what it does in cosmetics
In shampoos, liquid cleansers, and other rinse-off products, DISODIUM LAURYL SULFOSUCCINATE helps water loosen sebum, dirt, and residue from skin or hair so they can be rinsed away. It also supports foam formation and can help keep formula components dispersed in the water phase, contributing to a more even cleansing experience.
Its skin-conditioning use does not make this surfactant a moisturizing treatment. A study of 72 volunteers compared two syndet bars containing this ingredient together with sodium cocoyl isethionate and wheat starch; the bar with more starch was less irritating. Because those components varied together, the result does not show that DISODIUM LAURYL SULFOSUCCINATE alone makes a cleanser milder.
Products containing this ingredient
See which products include it and the name used in each composition.
