What it is
Lauroyl glutamic acid is an acylated amino acid made by joining lauric acid to the amino acid glutamic acid, producing a gentle amphiphilic molecule. Its amino-acid backbone makes it a mild surfactant that is often used to help stabilize emulsions and condition the skin, and its salts (lauroyl glutamates) are common in gentle cleansers. In sunscreens it typically supports emulsion structure and skin feel.
Safety & warnings
Amino-acid-based surfactants such as lauroyl glutamic acid and its glutamate salts are regarded as mild and are often chosen for sensitive-skin and gentle-cleanser formulas. They are generally well tolerated, with overall tolerability determined by the finished formula.
Origin & sourcing
Synthetic/biotechnological: made by reacting lauric acid (often coconut- or palm-derived) with glutamic acid, an amino acid that may be produced by fermentation.
Questions everyone asks
What is lauroyl glutamic acid made from?
It is made by combining lauric acid, often from coconut or palm, with the amino acid glutamic acid.
Why is it considered mild?
As an amino-acid-based surfactant it tends to be gentler on skin than many conventional surfactants, which suits sensitive-skin formulas.