Ingredient dictionary

Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate

Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate is a mild, amino acid-based cleansing agent. It lifts oil and dirt from skin and hair, and it creates a soft, creamy foam. It is on the label of 5 products in our library. Checked against our library November 6, 2026.

What Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate does

Lifts oil and dirt from the skin
Creates a soft, creamy foam
Adds a mild, gentle cleansing feel

Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate is made by joining lauric acid, a fatty acid usually taken from coconut or palm kernel oil, with glutamic acid, an amino acid. The result is a salt, and it is often grouped with amino acid-based surfactants, a family known for being gentler. A surfactant is a cleansing molecule that helps water mix with oil and dirt.

Formulators use it because it foams well and rinses cleanly while keeping a soft feel on the skin and hair. Its gentle profile makes it a popular choice in face washes, body washes and shampoos. It often feels smooth during use and rinses off clean.

Good for

Suits people who want a gentle cleanser that tends to feel less stripping than many classic cleansing agents.

Frequently asked questions

Is Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate a sulfate?

No. It is not a sulfate. Sulfates such as sodium lauryl sulfate are a different family of cleansers. Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate is built from an amino acid, which is why it is often described as an amino acid-based cleanser.

Does Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate dry out the skin?

It tends to feel less drying than many traditional cleansers. Like all cleansing agents, it removes some oil from the skin, so how it feels also depends on the rest of the formula and on how often you wash. Rinsing well and moisturizing afterward can help.