Docusate Sodium CAS 577-11-7 Cosmetic Grade Surfactant Emulsifier
Product Name: Docusate Sodium (Multi-Functional Anionic Surfactant, Emulsifier & Penetration Enhancer)
INCI Name: SODIUM DIOCTYL SULFOSUCCINATE
Alias: Docusate Sodium, Sodium Bis(2-ethylhexyl) Sulfosuccinate, Dioctyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate, Aerosol OT, AOT, DOSS, Docusate, Sulfosuccinate Surfactant, Anionic Emulsifier, Wetting Agent, Solubilizer, Penetration Booster, Low-Foam Surfactant
CAS No.: 577-11-7
Appearance: White to pale yellow waxy solid, flake, or pellet form, uniform texture, no visible impurities.
Grade: Cosmetic Premium Grade
Source: This product is synthesized through the esterification of maleic anhydride with 2-ethylhexanol, followed by sulfonation with sodium bisulfite and precise purification technology.
MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity): 25KG
Solubility: Soluble in water (approx. 15 g/100 mL at 25°C), freely soluble in ethanol, glycerin, propylene glycol, and polar organic solvents.
Storage Condition: Sealed and stored in dry, cool, and ventilated warehouse, storage temperature 5–30°C, avoid direct sunlight, high temperature, and moisture. Keep tightly sealed after opening to prevent caking, moisture absorption, and contamination, ensuring stable quality and performance.
Shelf Life: 24 Months
Application: Widely used in makeup removers, facial cleansers, body washes, shampoos, hair dyes and bleaches, perm products, depilatory creams, exfoliating products, specialty skincare with penetration enhancement, emulsion stabilizers, solubilizing systems, and various cosmetic formulations requiring wetting, emulsification, solubilization, or penetration enhancement.
Docusate Sodium, CAS 577-11-7, Sodium Dioctyl Sulfosuccinate, AOT, DOSS, Cosmetic Surfactant, Emulsifier, Solubilizer, Wetting Agent, Penetration Enhancer, Anionic Surfactant, Low Foam Surfactant, Cleansing Agent, Makeup Remover Ingredient, Hair Dye Auxil
Docusate Sodium CAS 577-11-7 Cosmetic Grade Surfactant Emulsifier Solubilizer Wetting Agent Penetration Enhancer Raw Material
Docusate Sodium (Sodium Dioctyl Sulfosuccinate) is a high-purity multi-functional anionic surfactant with triple core advantages of wetting, emulsification, and penetration enhancement.
Different from traditional single-function surfactants that only provide cleansing or foaming, it integrates rapid wetting, efficient emulsification, active solubilization, penetration boosting, and gentle cleansing.
With its unique dual-tailed sulfosuccinate molecular structure, it dramatically reduces water surface tension (to as low as 25-30 mN/m), enabling instant wetting of hydrophobic surfaces and superior spreading on skin and hair.
Meanwhile, its amphiphilic structure provides excellent emulsifying properties, stabilizing oil-in-water emulsions and solubilizing lipophilic active ingredients such as vitamins, plant extracts, and essential oils.
More importantly, Docusate Sodium acts as a skin penetration enhancer by temporarily modulating the stratum corneum lipid structure, improving the delivery and efficacy of topical active ingredients.
With its low-foaming characteristic, gentle profile, and well-established safety record (also used as a pharmaceutical excipient and FDA-approved stool softener), it has become a versatile workhorse surfactant in modern cosmetic, personal care, and pharmaceutical formulations.
Key Benefits
Ultra-High Surface Activity, Instant Wetting: Professional cosmetic-grade surfactant with extremely low critical micelle concentration (CMC ~0.15%), reduces surface tension to 25-30 mN/m. Provides instant wetting of hydrophobic surfaces, improves product spreadability, and ensures uniform application on skin and hair.
Powerful Emulsification, Stable O/W Systems: High HLB value (~40) makes it an excellent oil-in-water emulsifier and co-emulsifier. Stabilizes emulsions with small particle size, prevents phase separation, and improves formulation stability and texture.
Efficient Solubilization of Lipophilic Actives: Effectively solubilizes oil-soluble vitamins, plant extracts, essential oils, fragrances, and other hydrophobic active ingredients. Improves formulation clarity, prevents crystallization, and enhances active ingredient bioavailability.
Skin Penetration Enhancement: Unique ability to temporarily modulate stratum corneum lipid organization, improving the penetration and delivery of topical active ingredients. Enhances the efficacy of anti-aging, whitening, and therapeutic skincare products.
Gentle Cleansing, Low Irritation: Milder than traditional sulfate surfactants (SLES/SLS). Suitable for sensitive skin, baby products, and eye-area formulations. Provides effective cleansing without stripping the skin barrier.
Low-Foaming, Foam-Controllable: Intrinsically low-foaming surfactant, ideal for formulations where foam control is desired (makeup removers, micellar waters, hair dyes, perm solutions). Can be combined with foam boosters when needed.
Broad pH & Electrolyte Stability: Effective across a wide pH range (3-12), compatible with acidic and alkaline formulations. High tolerance to electrolytes, making it suitable for salt-containing formulations and hair care products.
Excellent Biodegradability & Safety: Readily biodegradable, environmentally friendly. Well-established toxicological profile, also used as pharmaceutical excipient and FDA-approved drug. Non-toxic, non-carcinogenic, and safe for cosmetic use.
Applications
Makeup Remover & Cleansing Series: Core surfactant for micellar waters, cleansing oils, makeup remover lotions, facial cleansers, and cleansing wipes. Provides gentle yet effective cleansing, excellent wetting, and low-foaming properties ideal for no-rinse and rinse-off cleansing products.
Hair Dye & Bleach Products: Essential auxiliary surfactant for permanent hair dyes, semi-permanent colors, hair bleaches, and toners. Improves dye penetration and uniformity, enhances wetting of hair fibers, and stabilizes alkaline dye formulations.
Perm & Hair Straightening: Key surfactant for permanent wave solutions, hair relaxers, and hair straightening products. Improves penetration of reducing agents into hair cortex, ensures uniform processing, and enhances formulation stability.
Depilatory & Specialty Hair Care: Used in depilatory creams, hair removal products, and specialty hair treatments. Enhances penetration of active ingredients (thioglycolates, etc.), improves wetting, and ensures uniform product performance.
Skincare with Penetration Enhancement: Multi-functional additive for anti-aging serums, whitening creams, acne treatments, and topical therapeutic skincare. Acts as a penetration enhancer to improve active ingredient delivery and efficacy.
Emulsion & Solubilizing Systems: Co-emulsifier and solubilizer for lotions, creams, gels, and sprayable emulsions. Stabilizes O/W systems, improves active solubilization, and enhances formulation texture and stability.
Body Wash & Shampoo: Mild co-surfactant for body washes, shower gels, shampoos, and bubble baths. Reduces irritation of primary surfactants, improves foam quality, and enhances wetting and cleansing performance.
Certificate Of Analysis (COA)
Test Item | Specification | Result |
Product Name | Docusate Sodium | Complies |
INCI Name | SODIUM DIOCTYL SULFOSUCCINATE | Complies |
CAS Number | 577-11-7 | Complies |
Grade | Cosmetic Grade | Complies |
Appearance | White to pale yellow waxy solid/flake | Complies |
Odor | Characteristic, very slight | Complies |
Active Content | ≥99.0% | 99.5% |
Molecular Formula | C₂₀H₃₇NaO₇S | Complies |
Molecular Weight | 444.56 g/mol | Complies |
pH (1% aqueous solution) | 5.0 – 7.5 | 6.2 |
Surface Tension (0.1% solution) | ≤30 mN/m | 26.8 mN/m |
CMC (Critical Micelle Concentration) | 0.10% – 0.20% | 0.15% |
HLB Value | ~40 | 40 |
Solubility in Water | ≥15 g/100 mL (25°C) | 16.5 g/100 mL |
Moisture Content | ≤2.0% | 0.8% |
Free Alcohol Content | ≤0.5% | 0.2% |
Sulfate Ash | ≤0.5% | 0.2% |
Color (APHA, 5% solution) | ≤50 | 25 |
Heavy Metals | ≤10 ppm | <5 ppm |
Arsenic (As) | ≤1 ppm | <0.5 ppm |
Lead (Pb) | ≤2 ppm | <0.5 ppm |
Mercury (Hg) | ≤1 ppm | <0.1 ppm |
Cadmium (Cd) | ≤1 ppm | <0.1 ppm |
Total Plate Count | ≤100 CFU/g | <10 CFU/g |
Yeast & Mold | ≤10 CFU/g | <10 CFU/g |
E. coli | Negative | Negative |
S. aureus | Negative | Negative |
P. aeruginosa | Negative | Negative |
Biodegradability | ≥60% (28 days) | 72% |
Storage | 5–30°C, sealed, dry | Complies |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is the MOQ of Docusate Sodium?
A1: The standard MOQ is 25KG. We support sample orders for formula testing, performance evaluation, and trial production. We also offer customized packaging options (flakes, pellets, powder, or pre-dissolved solution) and bulk pricing for mass production requirements.
Q2: What are the core functions of Docusate Sodium in cosmetics?
A2: It has five core functions: ultra-high surface activity for instant wetting and spreading; powerful O/W emulsification and emulsion stabilization; efficient solubilization of lipophilic active ingredients; skin penetration enhancement to improve active delivery; and gentle, low-foaming cleansing. It is one of the most versatile multi-functional surfactants in the cosmetic industry.
Q3: What is the recommended dosage in cosmetic formulas?
A3: Makeup removers and micellar waters: 0.5%–3.0%; Facial cleansers and body washes: 0.5%–2.0%; Hair dyes and bleaches: 1.0%–5.0%; Perm and depilatory products: 2.0%–8.0%; Skincare penetration enhancement: 0.1%–1.0%; Emulsion co-emulsifier: 0.5%–2.0%. The exact dosage can be adjusted according to product type, formulation goals, and regulatory requirements.
Q4: Is Docusate Sodium safe for cosmetic use, including sensitive skin and baby products?
A4: Yes. Docusate Sodium has a well-established safety profile. It is FDA-approved as a stool softener (oral drug), widely used as a pharmaceutical excipient, and has been used in cosmetics for decades. It is milder than traditional sulfate surfactants, has low irritation potential, and is suitable for sensitive skin, baby products, and eye-area formulations at appropriate concentrations. As with any surfactant, we recommend conducting patch testing and ensuring compliance with local regulations.
Q5: How does Docusate Sodium compare with other anionic surfactants like SLES and SLS?
A5: Key differences: Docusate Sodium is significantly milder and less irritating than SLES/SLS; it has inherently low-foaming properties (SLES/SLS are high-foaming); it provides superior wetting and penetration (lower surface tension); it has excellent emulsifying and solubilizing properties; and it is more biodegradable. Docusate Sodium is often preferred in makeup removers, micellar waters, hair dyes, and specialty formulations where gentle cleansing, wetting, and penetration are more important than high foam.
Q6: What are the formula usage notes?
A6: Water-soluble, add to water phase and heat to dissolve (melting point ~15°C for high-purity grade); compatible with anionic, nonionic, and amphoteric surfactants; avoid use with cationic surfactants (may form insoluble complexes); stable across pH 3-12, suitable for both acidic and alkaline formulations; high electrolyte tolerance; low-foaming, can combine with cocamidopropyl betaine or SLES if foam is desired; store sealed to prevent moisture absorption and caking.
Q7: What are the best synergistic combinations with Docusate Sodium?
A7: Top combinations include: Docusate Sodium + Cocamidopropyl Betaine (gentle cleansing + foam boosting); + Nonionic surfactants (Polysorbate 20/80, Decyl Glucoside) (enhanced emulsification + solubilization); + SLES/SLS (reduces irritation + improves foam quality); + Penetration enhancers (Propylene Glycol, Ethanol) (synergistic active delivery); + Emollients and oils (improved wetting + spreading); + Chelating agents (Disodium EDTA) (enhanced performance in hard water). Our technical team can provide customized formulation guidance.
Q8: Can you provide stable supply and professional technical support?
A8: We strictly control core indicators such as active content, surface tension, pH, moisture, and color to ensure consistent batch-to-batch stability. We support long-term bulk order supply, and provide one-stop professional services including formulation development, surfactant system optimization, compatibility testing, stability testing protocols, regulatory documentation, and after-sales technical support.
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