Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate

Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate is an anionic surfactant/cleanser used commonly around 1–10% in rinse-off products, where it can disrupt the stratum corneum and increase transepidermal water loss, especially in eczema-prone or compromised skin. Patch testing and clinical experience show it is generally milder than SLS/SLES, but irritation and stinging are still plausible in sensitive individuals, particularly with frequent use, higher concentrations, or leave-on exposure. Given the predictable surfactant-related barrier irritation risk in reactive populations, a moderate score is warranted and patch testing is prudent for severely sensitive skin. Safety Notes: In commercial leave-on products (e.g., acne/blemish serums, lightweight emulsions) sodium lauroyl sarcosinate is sometimes used at very low levels (~0.1–1%) mainly as a solubilizer, wetting agent, or to aid sensory/cleansing in micellar-type formats. In rinse-off cleansers and shampoos it is commonly present around 2–12% as an anionic surfactant, while high-strength consumer-available cleansing concentrates and solid syndet-style bars can reach very high total surfactant loads where sarcosinate can be a primary surfactant at up to ~20–30% depending on actives basis and water content; higher levels are typically constrained by irritation potential and viscosity/salt curve behavior.