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CarCareTruth

Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate

  • Anionic surfactants
  • CAS 137-16-6
  • IUPAC: Sodium N-lauroylsarcosinate

Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate (CAS 137-16-6) appears in 4 of the 2,122 car-care products CarCareTruth tracks (as of August 2026). It is on the EPA Safer Choice list.

Mild anionic surfactant with low irritation potential compared to SLS. No sensitization, no mutagenicity, no carcinogenicity at ingredient level. Used widely in personal care products (toothpaste, shampoo) at higher concentrations than typical cleaning product use. May contribute to mild eye irritation in concentrated form.

Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate is a mild anionic surfactant derived from sarcosine (N-methylglycine, a natural amino acid) and lauric acid (from coconut oil). It functions as a secondary surfactant, foam booster, and emulsifier in cleaning and personal care formulations. Milder than sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) with better skin compatibility, making it a common co-surfactant in formulations seeking to reduce irritation while maintaining cleaning performance.

EPA Safer Choice listed. Readily biodegradable. No aquatic toxicity concerns at typical use concentrations. Not a Prop 65 chemical, not an asthmagen, not a sensitizer.

Health & environment profile

VOC
no
Prop 65 listed
no
Asthmagen
no
EPA Safer Choice
yes
Aquatic toxicity
no
Biodegradable
yes
Bioaccumulative
no
Persistent
no
Ozone depleting
no
Microplastic
no
PFAS
no
Env. score
2/5
Purpose: Mild anionic surfactant — foaming agent, emulsifier, and secondary cleaner in personal care and cleaning products

Common questions about Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate

What is Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate used for in car care?
Mild anionic surfactant — foaming agent, emulsifier, and secondary cleaner in personal care and cleaning products
Is Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate a VOC?
No. Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate is not classified as a volatile organic compound (VOC).
Is Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate on California's Proposition 65 list?
No. Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate is not on California's Proposition 65 list.
Is Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate EPA Safer Choice certified?
Yes. Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate is on the EPA Safer Choice list.

4 products contain this

Related

Health and environment notes translate the manufacturer Safety Data Sheet, the GHS classification, and authoritative regulatory listings (California Prop 65, EPA). Not medical advice. They describe the ingredient itself; whether a hazard applies to a finished product depends on its concentration and how it's used.