Rate My SPF

Diethylhexyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate

What Diethylhexyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate is & what it does

Diethylhexyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate is a synthetic anionic surfactant of the sulfosuccinate family. In cosmetic formulas it works as a wetting agent and emulsifier, helping liquids spread and helping oil and water phases mix. It is effective at lowering surface tension, which makes it useful for dispersing pigments and other powders evenly.

Is Diethylhexyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate safe in skincare?

Diethylhexyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate is a synthetic surfactant used at low levels as a wetting and dispersing agent, and it is generally regarded as well tolerated at cosmetic use concentrations. Surfactants can be irritating at high levels, but here it is typically a minor, functional addition. Sensitive individuals may still prefer to patch test a new product.

What does Diethylhexyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate do in skincare?

It works as a wetting agent and emulsifier, helping liquids spread evenly and helping oil and water phases mix. A common use is to disperse pigments and powders smoothly through a formula. It lowers surface tension, which improves how the product applies.

Is Diethylhexyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate natural or synthetic?

It is a synthetic ingredient, made by reacting fatty alcohols with maleic and sulfonic chemistry to form the sulfosuccinate salt. It is not found in nature in this form. The result is a consistent, purpose-built surfactant.

Sunscreens with Diethylhexyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate

We rate 29 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

← All ingredients