ORY® product lines:
☑ Skincare
☑ Haircare
◐ Handmade Soap (liquid soap, syndet and shampoo bars)
☑ Cosmetics — three-line functional ingredient
Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate is an amino-acid-based surfactant: coconut lauric acid joined to sarcosine (N-methylglycine, a natural amino-acid derivative). The amide linkage makes it far milder than sodium lauryl sulfate while keeping rich, fast foam and strong cleansing, and — unusually among mild anionics — it performs well in hard water and at low pH, resists the flattening effect of oils and sebum, and enhances the foam of the rest of the system. It is widely used in toothpastes, facial cleansers, and sulfate-free shampoos. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Panel has concluded sarcosinates are safe as used, with the condition that they must not be formulated with nitrosating agents [1] — a formulation rule ORY® follows. Biodegradable and coconut-derived, it is a performance upgrade for sulfate-free cleansing.
What is Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate made of?
Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate is produced by acylating sarcosine with lauroyl chloride and neutralizing with sodium hydroxide. Points to know [1, 2]:
- N-acyl amino-acid anionic surfactant: Amide bond gives mildness; C12 lauroyl chain gives foam and cleansing.
- Supplied as ~30% aqueous solution or 94% powder: Clear liquid; pH 7–8 as supplied; effective pH 3.5–8.
- Hard-water and low-pH tolerant; foam-resistant to sebum and oils; foam booster for other surfactants.
- Nitrosamine rule: Secondary-amine-derived; must not be combined with nitrosating agents (e.g., certain nitrites, bronopol) — CIR condition [1].
- Biodegradable, coconut-derived; typical use 3–15% (as supplied).
What skin type is best suited for Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate?
Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate suits all seven ORY® skin types as a mild, effective cleanser:
- Sensitive: Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate is among the milder cleansing surfactants; suitable for reactive and eczema-prone skin (patch test).
- Dry: Low-stripping cleansing preserves barrier lipids; pair with glycerin and oils.
- Normal: Everyday gentle cleansing.
- Combination: Balanced foaming cleansers.
- Oily: Strong, sebum-resistant foam cleans oily skin effectively while staying mild.
- Acne-prone: Gentle base for salicylic-acid or tea-tree cleansers.
- Mature: Non-stripping cleansing for thinning, drier skin.
What hair type is best suited for Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate?
Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate gives sulfate-free shampoos fast, rich foam:
- Sensitive scalp: Sarcosinate-based shampoos reduce scalp irritation compared with sulfates.
- Dry or damaged: Low-stripping cleansing preserves natural oils.
- Curly and coily: Sulfate-free and low-poo formulas.
- Color-treated or chemically processed: Gentle cleansing prolongs color.
- Dandruff-prone scalp: Mild base for antifungal or salicylic-acid shampoos.
- Oily scalp: Adequate cleansing; pair with a stronger co-surfactant for heavy oil.
- Straight, wavy, mature or thinning: Gentle daily-use shampoos.
What are the benefits of Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate?
Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate’s benefits are documented in cleansing and safety literature [1–3]:
- Mild yet effective cleansing: Amino-acid structure lowers barrier disruption versus sulfates [2, 3].
- Rich, fast foam: Resists flattening by sebum and oils.
- Hard-water and low-pH performance: Works where soap and some mild anionics fail.
- Foam booster: Enhances glucoside and isethionate systems.
- Conditioning after-feel: Substantive amino-acid film.
- Biodegradable, coconut-derived: Natural-origin.
- Oral-care pedigree: Widely used in toothpaste — high safety familiarity.
Dual use across ORY® product lines
Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate serves cleansers, shampoos, liquid soaps, and syndet bars; not cold-process soap.
| ORY® line | Dual use? | How it is used | Typical level |
|---|---|---|---|
|
ORY® Skincare |
Yes |
Foaming facial cleansers, body washes, hand washes, acne cleansers (low-pH tolerant). |
3–12% |
|
ORY® Haircare |
Yes |
Sulfate-free shampoos, clarifying shampoos, scalp cleansers. |
5–15% |
|
ORY® Handmade Soap |
Limited |
Liquid soaps, syndet bars, shampoo bars (powder grade); not cold-process bars. |
5–20% |
|
ORY® Cosmetics |
Yes |
Foaming makeup removers, brush cleansers, cleansing powders. |
2–8% |
Pros and cons of Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Pros
Cons
- Sulfate-like foam, amino-acid mildness: Best of both [2].
- Hard-water and oil-resistant foam: Performance.
- Low-pH tolerant: Acne and acidic cleansers.
- CIR-reviewed safe: [1].
- Biodegradable: Coconut-derived.
- Nitrosating-agent restriction: Formulation rule; avoid bronopol and nitrite-containing ingredients [1].
- Synthetic processing: Not COSMOS-approved in most standards.
- Cost: Higher than sulfates.
- Anionic: Limited compatibility with cationics in 2-in-1s.
- Less consumer recognition: Requires education.
What is the best application of Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate?
Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate is a primary or boosting surfactant in foaming cleansers:
- Foaming facial cleanser: 8% sarcosinate + 5% CAPB + 3% glucoside; pH 5.5.
- Acne cleanser: 8% with 1–2% salicylic acid at pH 4.
- Sulfate-free shampoo: 10% with SLGC and CAPB.
- Hand wash or liquid soap: 8–12%.
- Shampoo bar: Powder grade with SCI.
- Cosmetics: Foaming makeup remover.
Peer-reviewed references
- Andersen FA (Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel). Final report on the safety assessment of cocoyl sarcosine, lauroyl sarcosine, myristoyl sarcosine, oleoyl sarcosine, stearoyl sarcosine, sodium cocoyl sarcosinate, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, sodium myristoyl sarcosinate, ammonium cocoyl sarcosinate, and ammonium lauroyl sarcosinate. International Journal of Toxicology. 2001;20(Suppl 1):1–14.
- Ananthapadmanabhan KP, Moore DJ, Subramanyan K, Misra M, Meyer F. Cleansing without compromise: the impact of cleansers on the skin barrier and the technology of mild cleansing. Dermatologic Therapy. 2004;17(Suppl 1):16–25.
- Draelos ZD. The science behind skin care: cleansers. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2018;17(1):8–14.
Disclaimer:
The information on this page is provided by ORY International, LC for educational purposes only. It summarizes published research about sodium lauroyl sarcosinate as an ingredient, including laboratory and animal studies and clinical studies of formulas that may differ from ORY® products. Results from these studies may not apply to every person or to ORY® products. This page is not medical advice and does not replace advice from a dermatologist, physician, or other qualified healthcare provider.
ORY® Skincare, Haircare, Handmade Soap, and Cosmetics products are cosmetics. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate, or prevent any disease or condition, including eczema, dermatitis, acne, dandruff, or any other condition. References to FDA or Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) findings describe the ingredient, not ORY® products, and do not mean FDA has reviewed or approved any ORY® product.
Results vary by skin and scalp type, formulation, and use. Surfactants can irritate or dry skin, especially at high levels or with frequent use. Any cosmetic can cause irritation, sometimes from other ingredients. Always patch test, follow label directions, and stop use if irritation occurs. If you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are buying for a child, consult a healthcare provider before use.
ORY International, LC works to keep this page accurate and current but makes no warranty as to its completeness. To the fullest extent permitted by law, ORY International, LC is not liable for any loss or injury arising from reliance on this information or from use of any product contrary to its label directions. To report a reaction, contact us at [insert contact email / phone].
