Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate — Allergy Risk & Safety Profile
INCI: SODIUM LAUROYL METHYL ISETHIONATE
Key Facts
- CAS Number
- 82469-79-2
- Category
- surfactant
- Risk Level
- low
- Common Allergen
- No
- Found In
- syndet bar, cleanser
Is Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate safe in cosmetics?
Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate is rated low risk in cosmetic products. It is not classified as a common allergen and is generally well-tolerated by most skin types. Commonly found in syndet bar, cleanser.
What is Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate?
Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate is a surfactant commonly used in cosmetic and personal care products. It is generally considered safe at recommended concentrations.
Allergy & Safety Information
Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate is considered safe for cosmetic use.
This ingredient is considered low risk from an allergenicity perspective. Reactions are uncommon at typical cosmetic use concentrations. However, no ingredient is universally safe — if you notice redness, itching, or irritation after using a product containing this ingredient, discontinue use and monitor whether symptoms resolve.
About Surfactant / Cleansing Agent Ingredients
Surfactants reduce surface tension between water and oil, allowing products to cleanse, foam, and emulsify. They are essential in shampoos, cleansers, and body washes. However, surfactants vary widely in irritation potential — from harsh (sodium lauryl sulfate) to very mild (sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, decyl glucoside).
Relevance for Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate: Repeated daily use of strong surfactants disrupts the skin barrier by removing natural lipids, increasing sensitivity to other allergens over time. If you have reactive or eczema-prone skin, choosing low-irritation surfactants and limiting wash time reduces barrier damage.
How to Identify Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate in Products
Cosmetic ingredients are listed by their INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) name in descending order of concentration. To check whether a product contains Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, scan the ingredient list for its INCI name exactly as it appears above. Ingredients present at 1% or less may appear in any order after the 1% threshold.
Product types to prioritise checking: Syndet bar, Cleanser. These product categories are the most common sources of Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate exposure based on formulation data.
Not sure if your products contain Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate? Paste the ingredient list into the free ingredient checker to scan for Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate and other allergens automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate safe?
Yes, well-tolerated by most skin types.
What does Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate do?
Functions as a surfactant in formulations.
Related Guides
Sulfates in Skincare & Shampoo
Which surfactants damage the barrier and safer alternatives.
How to Read Ingredient Labels
Decode INCI names and find hidden allergens in your products.
Find Your Skin Allergy Trigger
Step-by-step elimination method to identify your trigger.
Contact Dermatitis Guide
Symptoms, causes, patch testing, and treatment options.
Is Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate causing YOUR skin reactions?
SkinDetekt tracks your products and reactions to find your personal triggers. Download the app to find out.
Download on App Store