Sodium Isethionate

Sodium Isethionate is the sodium salt of isethionic acid, an anionic surfactant widely used in modern syndet bars and liquid washes. It's favored for dense, creamy lather and mild cleansing that leaves a soft, comfortable after-feel.
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Ingredient Snapshot

Overview
A gentle cleansing agent common in soap-free bars and washes.
Category
Cleansing
Type
Surfactant

Ingredient Ratings

Overall Rating

Great

Comedogenic Risk

None

Skin Benefits

It cleanses effectively while being kind to skin, helping maintain a soft, comfortable feel after washing, and works well for daily use, including for those prone to dryness.

Uses In Skincare & Cosmetics

It's widely used in syndet bars, facial cleansers, and body washes for a rich yet mild cleanse, and found in shampoo bars for a gentle scalp wash.

Comedogenic Rating

This ingredient is not typically evaluated for comedogenicity, and no standardized rating is available.

Safety

It's considered low irritation in rinse-off cleansers, though stinging or eye irritation can occur if misused or at high levels. No notable regulatory restrictions apply to typical cosmetic use.

Is Sodium Isethionate a Good Ingredient?

It earns a Great rating on the strength of its track record in syndet bars, where it cleans effectively with less barrier disruption than traditional soap, plus good stability and low irritation in rinse-off formats. Comparative studies of syndet versus soap systems back up its performance and skin compatibility.

Products with Sodium Isethionate

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