Sodium Lauryl Phosphate
molecular structure · PubChem
AKA: 50957-96-5, PHOSPHORIC ACID, DODECYL ESTER, SODIUM SALT, Monosodium monolauryl phosphate, 17026-83-4
Synthetic
Cleanser
Emulsifier
Clean
Phosphoric acid, dodecyl ester, sodium salt
Effective at 4.42%
Formula
C12H26NaO4P
Mol. Weight
288.30
CAS #
50957-96-5
Form
Powder
Functions
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.
Surfactant Cleansing
Surfactant Emulsifying
Anti-Inflammatory
Antimicrobial
Fights Acne
Lifts away dirt and oil
Mixes oil and water
Traditional Use
Developed in the mid-20th century as a mild surfactant and conditioning agent created to replace sodium lauryl sulfate in personal care products, combining lauric acid with phosphate for improved tolerability.
EWG
1
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Concentration Guide
0.14%
8.7%
0%12%
Reported use
CIR reported use: 0.14-2 | 0.25-8.7
Regulatory Agencies
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed2 reviews →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR