Lauric Acid
C12 saturated fatty acid – a soap-base component and co-solvent. May be comedogenic at high concentrations.
Supporting ingredient
It gives a product its texture, stability or shelf life. It has no claimed effect on the skin, so an efficacy tier does not apply. What is known about its safety is below
Tolerability and safety
- Irritation potential
- Low
- Allergen risk
- Low
- Pregnancy
- Safe
- Suitable for
- Normal, Dry, Combination, Oily, Sensitive
About this ingredient
Lauric Acid is a saturated fatty acid with 12 carbon atoms (C12). It occurs naturally in coconut oil (45-55%), palm kernel oil, bay laurel, and in small amounts in breast milk. In cosmetics, it is the starting material for soaps, nonionic and anionic surfactants, emollients, and foam boosters. Where it is used. Soaps and cleansers (10-20%), cleansing oils, balms, oily-skin products, shampoos. In finished products it more often appears as derivatives: Sodium Laurate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Polysorbate 20. Free lauric acid sits at 1-15% and is mostly declared in clean-beauty and small-batch formulas. Comedogenicity. Fulton scale 4 of 5 for the free acid – meaningful for acne-prone patients and those with closed comedones. As a soap salt (Sodium Laurate, Potassium Laurate), comedogenicity drops to 0-1 because the structure changes and the product is rinsed off. Topical coconut oil, with high lauric content, can trigger pomade-style acne in susceptible patients. Evidence base. Antimicrobial activity against Cutibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus aureus is confirmed in vitro (Nakatsuji 2009). Clinical trials of topical lauric acid as acne monotherapy do not exist – studies used monolaurin (monoglyceride of lauric acid). Evidence base C-D. Safety. Pregnancy and breastfeeding – safe for topical use. Non-toxic, non-sensitizing. Irritation is rare and mostly on mucous membranes. Practical notes. Patients with acne, perioral dermatitis, or closed comedones should avoid formulas with high percentages of coconut, bay, or palm kernel oil and free lauric acid in the top 5 INCI positions. As a C12 soap salt for body cleansing it is unproblematic. For facial products on acne-prone skin, formulas with C8-C10 glycerides (caprylic/capric triglyceride) or oleic acid derivatives are a better choice.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lauric Acid safe during pregnancy?
Lauric Acid is considered safe during pregnancy at typical cosmetic concentrations. Systemic absorption through the skin is minimal.
What skin types is Lauric Acid for?
Lauric Acid suits: normal, dry, combination, oily, sensitive.
What is Lauric Acid and what does it do in cosmetics?
C12 saturated fatty acid – a soap-base component and co-solvent.
Is Lauric Acid comedogenic?
On the Fulton scale 3/5 – moderate comedogenicity. For acne-prone skin, a rating of 3 or higher suggests choosing an alternative.
What's the INCI name for Lauric Acid?
The INCI name is Lauric Acid. It may also appear as: C12 Fatty Acid.
See Lauric Acid in a product composition right on the store page
The Evigrade extension adds an evidence panel to iHerb, Sephora, Druni and 12 more stores. This ingredient and every other one in the product show evidence-tier, allergen risk and pregnancy/lactation flags at a glance.
Similar role in the formula
Other functional ingredients
Lauroyl Lysine, Lauryl Betaine, Lauryl Glucoside, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Polyamide-3, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Aluminum Stearate, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
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