Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate are two chemical compounds that are commonly used in a variety of cleaning and personal care products. SLS is a popular surfactant renowned for its efficient cleaning and foaming abilities.
It is a major ingredient in numerous toothpastes, shampoos, and soaps. It is prized for its ability to clean oil and dirt. It has been linked to irritation of the skin in a few individuals.
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate is an alternative that is milder than SLS which is commonly used in products designed for sensitive skin. This also functions as a surfactant providing excellent cleansing and foaming capabilities.
It is typically regarded as gentler on skin, and also less irritating. Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate is utilized in a variety of products for personal care, such as facial cleansers or body washes as well as shampoos.
What is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate?
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is an ingredient used in many personal and cleaning products. As a surfactant, it can help mix ingredients made of water and oils and is ideal for creating foam in products such as soaps, shampoos toothpastes, detergents, and other soaps.
SLS can be effective in breaking down grease and oils and grease, which aids in cleaning and forming an extremely rich lather. This chemical is often produced from coconut oil, petroleum as well as palm oil. In its purest form, it’s a white or cream-colored powder that dissolves in water to create foam.
Although SLS is well-known for its foaming capabilities and its cleaning effectiveness, it’s been found to cause irritation on the skin of certain people, especially those who have sensitive skin.
Due to its capability to make a creamy lather and outstanding cleaning capabilities, SLS is a common ingredient in a variety of everyday products.
Concerns over irritation to the skin have resulted in the demand for products that do not contain SLS or use mild alternatives. However, despite these concerns, SLS is still extensively used because of its efficacy.
What is Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate?
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate is a chemical substance that is often found in personal products such as shampoos, facial cleansers as well and body washs. It’s a surfactant. This means that it assists in mixing water and oil which allows the dirt as well as oil to be cleaned off the skin or hair.
What distinguishes Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate so special is that it’s more gentle than most other surfactants such as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS). Its mildness makes it a preferred option for products that are designed for sensitive skin or those seeking gentler cleaning alternatives.
It is known to be less drying and irritating than harsher ingredients, yet still effective in cleansing. Its soft cleaning properties Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate can also assist in creating a thick and creamy lather when cleansing products are used which makes these products more comfortable to use.
It is often found in formulations designed to provide effective cleansing and the requirement to preserve the natural moisturizing properties of your hair or skin. Due to these qualities, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate is a popular ingredient in many delicate and high-quality cosmetics for personal use.
Key Difference Between Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Here’s a comparison chart summarizing the key differences between Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate:
| Property | Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) | Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Structure | Sulfate-based surfactant with a long hydrophobic chain and a sulfate group. | Amino acid derivative-based surfactant with a fatty acid chain and a sarcosinate group. |
| Cleaning Power | Strong cleaning and degreasing properties. | Effective cleaning but milder compared to SLS. |
| Foaming Ability | High foaming capacity, creates a rich lather. | Moderate foaming produces a creamy lather. |
| Skin Irritation | Known to cause skin irritation, especially in sensitive individuals. | Generally milder and less likely to cause skin irritation or dryness. |
| Eye Irritation | Can cause eye irritation if products containing SLS come into contact with the eyes. | Less likely to cause eye irritation compared to SLS. |
| Allergic Reactions | Can trigger allergies or sensitivity in some people. | Rarely associated with allergic reactions. |
| Suitable for Sensitive Skin | May not be suitable for sensitive or easily irritated skin. | Often used in products formulated for sensitive skin. |
| Common Uses | Found in a wide range of personal care and cleaning products, including shampoos, soaps, and toothpaste. | Used in products like facial cleansers, body washes, and baby care products. |
| Environmental Impact | May have a higher potential for environmental harm due to persistence. | Considered more environmentally friendly due to its biodegradability. |
What is the structure of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate?
The structures that makeup Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate are distinguished by their unique molecular arrangement that contribute to their surfactant properties.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS): An anionic surfactant, with a molecular formula of C12H25SO4Na. It’s comprised of an alkyl chain of 12 carbons (dodecane) joined to a sulfate sulfate group (SO4) and is then ionically bound to sodium ions (Na+).
This arrangement gives SLS its properties of surfactant, by combining the hydrophobic long (water-repelling) the alkyl chain, and a hydrophilic (water-attracting) Sulfate group.
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate: Its molecular formula for Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate is C15H28NNaO3. It is the fat acid (lauroyl) component, which is similar with respect to length SLS and is attached to the sarcosinate group. Sarcosinate is a sarcosine derivative, an amino acid found in nature.
It is made up of an alkyl chain that is hydrophobic and a hydrophilic group of sarcosinate which makes it a mild surfactant. The amino acid derivative within the structure may be a factor in its softer appearance compared to other surfactants, such as SLS.
How do they Work?
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate function by acting as surfactants which means that they decrease the surface tension between different substances such as water and oil and water, which allows the two to blend.
SLS is a molecular structure consisting of a lengthy and hydrophobic (water-repelling) chain, and a hydrophilic (water-attracting) sulfur group, is particularly effective at trapping and removing dirt and oil. When you apply a solution with SLS and then add water the surfactant molecules surround dirt and oil.
The hydrophobic portion of the molecule sticks to the oil, whereas the hydrophilic portion remains inside the water. This allows dirt and oil to be removed with water, effectively washing the surface.
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate functions similarly however it is regarded as less abrasive. Its structure, which combines the fatty acid with the Sarcosinate category (derived of amino acids) is also equipped with both hydrophilic and hydrophobic ends.
Its gentle nature allows it to cleanse without stripping away all of the natural oils that make up your skin. This is especially beneficial to sensitive skin as it minimizes the chance of irritation.
When it is used in cleansing products it can also help in creating the lather, which breaks down oils and dirt, that can then be cleaned off, leaving hair and skin clean, without excessive dryness.
Uses of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate are utilized extensively in a variety of products because of their properties as surfactants.
Here are a few typical uses:
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS):
- Cleansing Products: It is extensively employed in household cleaners because of its degreasing and foaming capabilities. It aids in removing and breaking down dirt and grease.
- Product for Personal Care: Shampoos, soaps, and toothpaste usually contain SLS. It makes a lather that is rich and efficiently removes oil and other residues from the hair and skin.
- Cosmetics: For cosmetics SLS can be used as an emulsifier. This helps to mix ingredients that otherwise would be separated.
- Industries: SLS is also employed in a variety of industrial products, including engine cleaners and car wash liquids due to its effective cleaning abilities.
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate:
- Gentle products for hair and skin care: Often found in shampoos as well as facial cleansers and body washes designed to soothe sensitive skin. Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate offers effective cleansing without any harshness.
- Dental products: This ingredient can be found in many toothpastes to act as a foaming agent which can be less irritating than SLS which is ideal for those who have sensitive gums or mouth ulcers.
- Shaving foams: Their mild characteristics and the ability to make creamy lather makes it a great choice for shaving foams as well as creams.
- Baby products: Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate is often used as a component in infant shampoos and washes because of its gentle and non-irritating properties.
Side effects of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS):
- Skin Irritation: The most frequently reported adverse results of SLS is irritation to the skin. It can be manifested as dryness, redness or itching, in particular people who have sensitive skin.
- Eye irritation: When it is used in products like shampoos and cleansing products for facial skin, SLS can cause eye irritation when it comes in direct contact with eyes.
- Mouth irritation: When toothpaste is used, SLS may cause mouth irritation, or canker sores, especially in those who are prone to such conditions.
- Natural Oils Stripping: SLS is efficient in taking oil away, and may sometimes remove too many of your skin’s and hair’s natural oils. This can lead to dryness or even damage.
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate:
- Mild Irritation: While it is often viewed as gentler as SLS, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate may cause minor eye or skin irritation in certain people however this is not as often.
- Allergic Reactions: In rare instances, people can have allergic reactions, for example, hives or rashes especially if they have particular sensitivities to the components of the compound.
Summary
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is a potent surfactant used in a variety of cleaning products. It is well-known for its strong cleaning capabilities and thick foam however it can be irritating and harsh, especially for those with sensitive skin.
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, by contrast, can be viewed as a less harsh surfactant that is often found in products for personal care that are gentle and provide effective cleaning and less chance of irritation and sensitivity, which makes it suitable for skin with sensitive issues.