murphyLauric Acid
AKA: DODECANOIC ACID, 143-07-7, N-Dodecanoic acid, Dodecylic acid, Laurostearic acid, Vulvic acid, Dodecoic acid, Duodecylic acid, 1-Undecanecarboxylic acid
Plant-Derived Synthetic
Cleanser
Emulsifier
Acid
Clean
OriginLauric acid is a saturated fatty acid naturally occurring in coconut and palm kernel oils (Arecaceae and Palmaceae families). Isolated through saponification and hydrolysis of the plant oils, then purified through distillation.
Dodecanoic acid is a straight-chain, twelve-carbon medium-chain saturated fatty acid with strong bactericidal properties; the main fatty acid in coconut oil and palm kernel oil. It has a role as an antibacterial agent, a plant metabolite and an algal metabolite. It is a straight-chain saturated fatty acid and a medium-chain fatty acid. It is a conjugate acid of a dodecanoate. It derives from a hydride of a dodecane.
Solubility less than 1 mg/mL at 70 °F (NTP, 1992)
Formula
C12H24O2
Mol. Weight
200.32
CAS #
143-07-7
Form
Liquid
Skin Types
●all-skin-types, gentle
Best For
Dryness
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.
Removes Impurities
Emulsifier
Cleansing Surfactant
Antioxidant Protection
Reduces Inflammation
Locks In Moisture
Mixes Oil & Water
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed3 reviews →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
EWG
1
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not Phototoxic
Lab (in vitro) test found no phototoxicity in the CIR safety assessment (CIR 777)
Not a Sensitizer
3 studies / 3 not sensitizing (CIR 161 and 777)
Mixed Eye Irritation Results
5 studies / 2 irritating / 2 mixed / 1 not irritating / reactions minimal to moderate (CIR 161 and 777)
Mixed Skin Irritation Results
10 studies / 5 irritating / 1 mixed / 4 not irritating / reactions slight to moderate / plus 1 case report (CIR 161 and 777)
Concentration Guide
Leave-on0.0011–13%
Rinse-off0.005–18%
0%50%100%
CIR reported use · 2016 survey
Regulatory Agencies
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR