Sodium Myristate

Sodium Myristate molecular structure
molecular structure · PubChem
AKA: Sodium tetradecanoate, Tetradecanoic acid, Sodium salt, Myristic acid, NIKKOL MK 140, Sodium salt (1:1)
Synthetic
Cleanser
Emulsifier
Plant Oil
Clean
Sodium myristate
Formula
C14H27NaO2
Mol. Weight
250.35
CAS #
822-12-8
State
Dry Powder; Liquid
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.
Surfactant Cleansing
Surfactant Emulsifying
Anti-Inflammatory
Antimicrobial
Fights Acne
Removes dirt and impurities
Lifts away dirt and oil
Mixes oil and water
Traditional Use
A salt of myristic acid (a fatty acid found in nutmeg and palm oils). Used historically as a saponified cleansing agent and in modern cosmetics as an emulsifier and cleanser.
EWG
1
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Status
USA✔ permitted
EU⚠ restricted
JAPAN⚠ restricted
CANADA⚠ restricted
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed1 review →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR