What is it? | Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate (SLSa) is a solid anionic surfactant of vegetable origin. It meets ECOCERT standards. It is not the same thing as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)—it is a much gentler surfactant. |
INCI | Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate |
Appearance | A very fine white powder. |
Usage rate | Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate (SLSa) is non-irritating to the skin at up to 70% |
Texture | Fine powder. |
Scent | Characteristically soapy/detergent-y. |
Active Surfactant Matter | 65% |
pH | 5–7.5 (5% solution) |
Charge | Anionic |
Solubility | Water |
Why do we use it in formulations? | It offers fantastic, rich lather to our products. Due to the small particle size it readily dissolves in water, making it a great choice for things like bath bombs and foaming bath salts. |
Do you need it? | I’d highly recommend it, but it isn’t essential. |
Strengths | Wonderful, rich, long-lasting lather. |
Weaknesses | Inhaling it is beyond wretched. |
Alternatives & Substitutions | As a bare minimum you’ll need a different solid anionic surfactant. You’ll also need to watch the active surfactant matter (you may need to use a different quantity of the new surfactant to get the same ASM level in the end product) and the pH of the final product. |
How to Work with It | Wear a dust mask! Inhaling airborne powdered surfactants is unbelievably unpleasant.
You can dissolve it into the heated water phase for liquid concoctions, or stir/mash the powder into blends of butters and/or other surfactants to create syndet bars. It can also be added to the powder phase of bath bombs and other bath products. |
Storage & Shelf Life | Stored somewhere cool, dark, and dry, SLSa should last for two years. |
Tips, Tricks, and Quirks | SLSa is an easy way to make almost anything foam! |
Recommended starter amount | 250g (0.5lb) |
Where to Buy it | Buy it from an online DIY ingredient supplier or Amazon. |
Want to compare different surfactants?
Check out my super-useful surfactants table!
Some Formulations that Use Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
- Simple Sulfate-Free Shampoo Bar
- Christmas Spice Soft Foaming Sugar Scrub
- Sulfate-Free Shampoo Bar with Rice Starch
- Ice Palace Sulfate-Free Shampoo Bar
- French Green Clay Sulphate-Free Shampoo Bar
- Chocolate Ganache Fizzing Bath Biscuits
- Pink Clay Mosaic Shampoo Bars
- White Chocolate Peppermint Shampoo Bars
- Christmas Tree Foaming Whipped Body Scrub
- Whipped Minty Foot Scrub
- Foaming Coconut Bath Milk
- Five Alive Citrus Bath Parfait
- Fizzy Unicorn Bath Parfait
- Snowflake Bath Bombs
- Pumpkin Spice Bath Bombs