Cleansing Agent

Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate

Reviewed by Rosie · Last updated 14 Aug 2026

Cleansing agent found in products such as face wash, bubble bath, and shampoo

What Is Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate?

Disodium laureth sulfosuccinate is a cleansing agent found in products such as face wash, bubble bath, and shampoo, as well as other personal care products. It can help boost the foaming properties of such formulas plus enhance the water solubility of other surfactants. Suppliers of this ingredient note its gentleness on skin.

Disodium laureth sulfosuccinate can be sourced naturally (plant derived) or synthetically (lab created). It is described as a clear, colorless to slightly yellowish liquid in raw material form. Technically speaking, it is the disodium salt of an ethoxylated lauryl alcohol half ester of sulfosuccinic acid.

The 2015 Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel surveyed 607 personal care products containing disodium laureth sulfosuccinate in concentrations between 0.06% to 2% for leave-on formulas and 0.4% to 10% for rinse-off. They concluded that this ingredient is "safe in the present practices of use and concentration described in this safety assessment when formulated to be nonirritating."

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