Sodium Lauroamphoacetate

Sodium lauroamphoacetate is an amphoteric surfactant used in cleansers/shampoos (often a few percent up to ~10%+ in rinse-off systems) and is generally milder than anionic sulfates, but it is still a detergent that can sting and disrupt barrier lipids in eczema-prone or highly reactive skin. Human patch/usage data for amphoterics show low-to-moderate irritation overall with higher risk on compromised skin and with frequent cleansing or combination with other surfactants. Given cumulative routine exposure and the disproportionate risk in sensitive populations, I rate it as mild rather than “gentle.” Safety Notes: In commercial products, sodium lauroamphoacetate is most often used in rinse-off cleansing systems; at the low end (~0.1–1%) it appears as a mildness/foam-supporting co-surfactant in facial cleansers, body washes, and baby washes. Typical primary-surfactant use levels are commonly ~3–15% active in finished formulas, while high-strength consumer-available products such as concentrated/“water-activated” cleansing pastes, solid syndet bars, and some micellar/cleansing concentrates can reach ~20–30% in the finished product (excluding professional-only and prescription products). Leave-on use is uncommon and generally kept low due to surfactant residue/irritation potential.