SODIUM TALLOWATE
Sodium Tallowate is a mixture of sodium salts made from the fatty acids in tallow. Rather than one single molecule, it contains related substances; that is why it is commonly associated with bar cleansers and formulas that rely on the familiar behaviour of soap.
SODIUM TALLOWATE: what it is
Sodium Tallowate is a mixture of sodium salts made from the fatty acids in tallow. Rather than one single molecule, it contains related substances; that is why it is commonly associated with bar cleansers and formulas that rely on the familiar behaviour of soap.
It is made when tallow fats react with an alkali, converting fatty acids into salts that can disperse in water. It is not the same as an unchanged oil or butter in a formula: after this reaction, its defining practical feature is the ability to cleanse and create foam.
SODIUM TALLOWATE: what it does in cosmetics
In soaps and other cleansers, Sodium Tallowate helps lift oil and soil from the skin so they can be rinsed away with water. Its surfactant action also supports foam, which changes the feel of use, although abundant foam is not a direct measure of cleaning performance or a skin benefit.
Related fatty-acid salts can also help keep a mixture more uniform and give the base more body. These roles explain its place mainly in rinse-off products; they do not support claims to treat acne, dark spots, wounds, or other skin conditions.
Products containing this ingredient
See which products include it and the name used in each composition.
