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Answer: Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate is not currently banned worldwide, but health agencies have flagged concerns. The FDA still allows it in US cosmetics and personal-care products. Risk level: low. Commonly found in: Eucerin Baby Wash & Shampoo, CeraVe Baby Wash, La Roche-Posay Lipikar Gentle Cleansing Body Wash.
TL;DR: Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate is allowed in the EU but allowed in the US (surfactant).
Reviewed for clarity & usefulness by the BannedPantry Parent Panel
INCI name DISODIUM LAURETH SULFOSUCCINATE. Also called DLS. CAS 39354-45-5.
Other names: DLS, SCS, Sodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
| EU status | Allowed |
|---|---|
| US status | Allowed |
| Risk level | low |
| Where it shows up | Eucerin Baby Wash & Shampoo, CeraVe Baby Wash, La Roche-Posay Lipikar Gentle Cleansing Body Wash |
| CAS number | 39354-45-5 |
Disodium laureth sulfosuccinate is a mild anionic surfactant derived from the succinic acid ester of laureth alcohol. It is considered one of the gentlest ionic surfactants available and is specifically recommended for baby and sensitive-skin formulations.
Used as a primary or secondary surfactant in gentle rinse-off products; it delivers good foam without significantly compromising skin barrier function.
Disodium laureth sulfosuccinate is among the least irritating surfactants evaluated by the CIR. It does not penetrate the skin barrier significantly and is safe at concentrations used in cosmetics. No carcinogenic, mutagenic, or endocrine-disrupting effects have been found. It may contain trace ethylene oxide/1,4-dioxane from ethoxylation, addressed by manufacturing controls.
For educational use only. This page summarizes the regulatory status of Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinatewith citations to the primary sources below. It is not medical advice. Regulatory status is not the same as a proven health effect — read the cited sources for their exact wording, and consult a doctor for decisions about your or your family's health.
Sodium cocoyl isethionate for equally mild powder-form cleansing.
It is one of the most recommended surfactants for eczema-prone skin precisely because of its very low irritation potential. Dermatologists frequently recommend products containing it for atopic dermatitis patients.
No. Although milder than SLS or SLES, it does contain a sulfonate group and is technically a sulfonate. It may be marketed as 'sulfate-free' in some brands, which is technically accurate (no sulfate group), but chemically it is closely related to sulfates.
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