murphyDiethylhexyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate
AKA: Docusate sodium, Dioctyl sulfosuccinate sodium salt, Aerosol OT, Dioctyl sulfosuccinate sodium, Dioctylal, Diotilan, Disonate, Molatoc, Regutol, Velmol
Synthetic
Cleanser
Emulsifier
Not Clean
OriginSynthesized from sulfosuccinic acid and diethylhexanol, both petrochemical-derived compounds from the synthetic chemical family. Produced through esterification and sulfonation reactions to create the final surfactant compound.
Docusate Sodium is the sodium salt of docusate, a dioctyl salt and an emollient laxative with stool-softening activity. Docusate decreases surface tension and emulsification of fecal matter and allows water to penetrate and mix with stool. As a result, it softens the stool.
Solubility SOL IN WATER (G/L): 15 (25 °C), 23 (40 °C), 30 (50 °C), 55 (70 °C); SOL IN CARBON TETRACHLORIDE, PETROLEUM ETHER, NAPHTHA, XYLENE, DIBUTYL PHTHALATE, LIQUID PETROLATUM, ACETONE, ALCOHOL, VEGETABLE OILS; VERY SOL IN WATER-MISCIBLE ORGANIC SOLVENTS
Formula
C20H37NaO7S
Mol. Weight
444.60
CAS #
577-11-7
Form
Liquid
State
Liquid; Water or Solvent Wet Solid, Liquid; Liquid, Other Solid
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
Functions
Cleansing
Makes oil and water mix so dirt, makeup, and sunscreen can actually be washed away. The reason your face wash foams.
Cleansing
Makes oil and water mix so dirt, makeup, and sunscreen can actually be washed away. The reason your face wash foams.
Emulsifying
Forces oil and water to stay mixed instead of separating into layers. The unsung hero holding your lotion together.
Hydrotrope
Removes Impurities
Cleansing Surfactant
Emulsifier
Surfactant Hydrotrope
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewednone on file
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed2 reviews →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
4 studies / 4 not sensitizing / plus 1 case report (CIR 38 and 654)
Not Phototoxic
Product formulation test found no phototoxicity in the CIR safety assessment (CIR 38)
Mixed Eye Irritation Results
7 studies / 4 irritating / 2 mixed / 1 not irritating / reactions minimal to severe (CIR 38 and 654)
Mixed Skin Irritation Results
20 studies / 17 irritating / 2 mixed / 1 not irritating / reactions minimal to severe (CIR 38 and 654)
Concentration Guide
Leave-on0.0002–4.4%
Rinse-off0.1–1.2%
0%50%100%
CIR reported use · 2013 survey
Regulatory Agencies
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR