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What Is Sucrose Laurate?

Sucrose laurate is the fatty acid esterified form of sucrose and lauric acid and is widely used as an emulsifier in the cosmetics industry in products such as shampoos, face creams, body washes, soaps and deodorants.

  1. Purpose

    • Since it's a fatty acid ester, sucrose laurate is: surfactant, lowering surface tension to allow better spreading; emulsifying, allowing the mixture of liquids that wouldn't normally mix such as oil and water; and solubilizing, allowing solids to dissolve in liquids more easily.

    Properties

    • Sucrose laurate has been demonstrated to inhibit the growth of clostridium spores (a type of bacteria) in various foods such as juices. It therefore serves as an ideal preservative in foods. It has also been shown to exhibit fungicidal properties.

    Risks

    • Sucrose laurate has been used in food and cosmetic preparations for many years without any reported adverse effects in humans. It is classed as a non-toxic generally regarded as safe (GRAS) additive. It is also used in environmentally friendly products because it's biodegradable.

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