Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate

dye-SO-dee-um LOR-eth sul-fo-SUCK-sin-ate

Surfactant 8/10 Safety CG ApprovedClean Semi-synthetic Vegan

What Is Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate?

A mild anionic surfactant often confused with sulfates but chemically distinct. It is a sulfosuccinate, not a sulfate, and provides moderate cleansing with much less irritation.

Source: Coconut-derived fatty acids (chemically processed)

Origin: Semi-synthetic

Also known as: DLSS

What Does Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate Do to Your Hair?

Provides moderate cleansing power with good foam production. Effectively removes light buildup and daily grime while being significantly gentler than traditional sulfates on hair and scalp.

Best For

Curly hair, color-treated hair, dry hair, sensitive scalp

Not Recommended For

Heavy buildup, very oily hair

Concentration Matters

2-10% in shampoos

Hair Type Compatibility

1A Straight Fine
1B Straight Medium
1C Straight Coarse
2A Wavy Fine
2B Wavy Medium
2C Wavy Coarse
3A Curly Loose
3B Curly Tight
3C Curly Corkscrew
4A Coily S-Shaped
4B Coily Z-Shaped
4C Coily Tight
Color-treated: Safe

Method Compatibility

Curly Girl (CG) Method: Approved
CG Approved

Safety & Regulation

8/10
AvoidCautionSafe

Despite having 'sulf' in the name, this is not a sulfate and is much milder. Very low irritation potential. Safe for regular use on most hair types.

FDA Status: Generally Recognized As Safe

FDA considers this safe for cosmetic use. Not classified as a sulfate.

EWG Score: 1/10

HairAide Verdict

An excellent gentle cleanser often misidentified as a sulfate. Great for curly hair methods and color-treated hair. Do not confuse the name with sodium laureth sulfate.

Products That Contain Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate

Sulfate-free shampoos, gentle cleansers, baby shampoos, color-safe shampoos

Alternatives to Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate

If you want to avoid Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, look for products with these ingredients instead:

Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Decyl Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Betaine

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate safe for hair?

Yes, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate has a safety rating of 8/10 and is generally considered safe for use in hair products. Despite having 'sulf' in the name, this is not a sulfate and is much milder. Very low irritation potential. Safe for regular use on most hair types.

Is Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate bad for curly hair?

Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate is CG-method approved and is generally considered safe for curly hair.

Is Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate CG-method approved?

Yes, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate is approved for the Curly Girl method.

What can I use instead of Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate?

Some alternatives to Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate include: Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Decyl Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Betaine

Get Our Free Ingredient Decoder Cheat Sheet

Take the guesswork out of reading product labels. Our printable cheat sheet helps you decode ingredients while you shop.

Check What's In Your Products

Use our free Hair Product Label Analyzer to check any product's ingredient list instantly.

Analyze My Product →