Sodium Lauroyl Isethionate Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Form (Powders, Chips/Flakes, Granules), By Application (Haircare, Skin Care), By Region (North America, Asia Pacific, Latin America, MEA), And Segment Forecasts, 2025 - 2030

Sodium Lauroyl Isethionate Market Summary

SLI is a gentle surfactant widely used in shampoos, facial cleansers, and body washes due to its skin-friendly profile, rich lathering, and compatibility with sensitive skin. As awareness around harsh sulfates and their link to skin irritation increases, formulators are replacing traditional surfactants with milder alternatives like SLI, boosting its adoption across premium and mass-market skincare and haircare products.

The demand for the product market is expected to rise due to increasing consumer preference for gentle, sulfate-free personal care products. SLI provides a creamy lather and mild cleansing action, making it ideal for sensitive skin and baby care formulations. Its compatibility with eco-friendly and solid-format products like shampoo bars also supports demand amid growing sustainability trends. Additionally, clean-label movements are pushing brands to replace harsher surfactants with skin-friendly alternatives like SLI.

Sodium Lauroyl Isethionate (SLI) is a mild, anionic surfactant derived from coconut or palm oil, commonly used in personal care and cosmetic formulations. Known for its gentle cleansing properties, rich lather, and skin compatibility, SLI is widely used in shampoos, facial cleansers, body washes, and syndet bars. It is particularly valued in sulfate-free and pH-balanced products, catering to consumers with sensitive skin. As demand for clean-label and eco-conscious ingredients rises, SLI has become a preferred choice among formulators in both premium and mass-market segments.

Market Concentration & Characteristics

The market is moderately fragmented. The Sodium Lauroyl Isethionate (SLI) market is defined by its growing demand in the personal care and cosmetics industry, fueled by the global shift toward mild, sulfate-free, and skin-friendly formulations. SLI’s excellent foaming, cleansing, and conditioning properties and gentle nature make it highly suitable for facial cleansers, body washes, shampoos, and syndet bars. Its compatibility with sensitive skin and support for pH-balanced products has positioned it as a preferred surfactant in premium and dermatologist-recommended product lines.

Another key market characteristic is the rising interest in sustainable and solid-format personal care products, such as shampoo and cleansing bars. SLI is a key ingredient due to its solid-state availability and ease of processing. The market is also seeing increased innovation, with companies focusing on eco-friendly sourcing, improved manufacturing processes, and certifications aligned with vegan, non-GMO, and COSMOS standards. Regionally, Asia Pacific dominates production and consumption due to growing local demand and manufacturing capabilities, while North America and Europe lead in regulatory-driven and premium product adoption.

Form Insights

The chips/flakes segment accounted for the largest revenue share of 47.6% in 2024 and is expected to continue to dominate the industry over the forecast period. The chips/flakes segment in the product market is driven by its versatile applications in personal care formulations, particularly in solid and bar-format products. Chips and flakes offer ease of handling, better solubility, and are ideal for hot-processing methods used in the production of syndet bars and cleansing bars. Their stable form allows manufacturers to formulate high-performance, mild products with consistent texture and foaming properties. Additionally, rising demand for sustainable, waterless beauty products like shampoo bars is boosting the adoption of SLI in chip or flake form. This segment continues to gain traction due to growing formulation flexibility and compatibility with sulfate-free, eco-friendly product lines.

The granules segment in the product market is expected to grow the fastest with a CAGR of 5.2% over the forecast period, due to its ease of incorporation into automated production processes and its superior flow characteristics. Granules are especially preferred in large-scale skin care of powders, tablets, and liquid concentrates, where uniformity and dust control are essential. Their lower dust generation compared to powders or flakes enhances worker safety and production cleanliness. Additionally, the consistent particle size of granules ensures efficient mixing and dispersion, making them ideal for high-throughput cosmetic and personal care applications. With rising demand for efficient, scalable, and dust-free raw materials in clean-label formulations, the granules segment is expected to grow steadily.

Application Insights

The skin care segment dominated the market with a revenue share of 56.8% in 2024, during the forecast period. The skin care segment is a major application area due to its mild, non-irritating cleansing properties. It is widely used in facial cleansers, body washes, and moisturizing bars, offering gentle cleansing without stripping natural oils. Its compatibility with sensitive skin and suitability for sulfate-free formulations make it a preferred ingredient in premium and dermatologically-tested skincare products. As consumers increasingly seek gentle and skin-friendly solutions, demand for SLI in skin care continues to rise.

The hair care segment is a significant driver due to its role in formulating sulfate-free shampoos and conditioning cleansers. SLI provides a rich, creamy lather while being gentle on the scalp and hair, making it ideal for daily use and color-safe hair products. Compared to traditional surfactants, it helps maintain moisture balance and reduces irritation. With the rising demand for clean-label and sensitive scalp-friendly hair care, SLI usage in this segment is steadily expanding.

Regional Insights

The Asia Pacific sodium lauroyl isethionate market is expected to dominate the market with a revenue share of 41.9% in 2024. This growth is attributed to rising consumer demand for mild, sulfate-free personal care products, especially in countries like China, India, South Korea, and Japan. Rapid urbanization, increasing disposable income, and expanding skincare and haircare industries are fueling the adoption of SLI in the region. Additionally, the growing popularity of solid-format and natural cosmetic products is boosting their use among regional formulators and manufacturers.

China sodium lauroyl isethionate market held over 47.5% revenue share of the overall Asia Pacific market. In China sodium lauroyl isethionate market, the demand is growing rapidly due to the booming personal care and cosmetics industry, driven by a shift toward gentle, sulfate-free formulations. Rising consumer awareness around skin sensitivity and premium skincare trends is prompting brands to adopt mild surfactants like SLI in facial cleansers, shampoos, and syndet bars.

North America Sodium Lauroyl Isethionate Market Trends

The North America sodium lauroyl isethionate market is experiencing steady growth driven by strong consumer preference for clean-label, sulfate-free personal care products. The U.S. and Canada have seen increased demand for mild surfactants in skincare, baby care, and premium haircare applications. Regulatory support for safer ingredients and a growing market for solid-format products like shampoo and cleansing bars further support SLI adoption. Leading personal care brands increasingly incorporate SLI to meet performance and dermatological safety standards.

U.S. Sodium Lauroyl Isethionate Market Trends

The U.S. sodium lauroyl isethionate market is driven by rising demand for dermatologist-recommended, sulfate-free personal care products. Consumers are increasingly seeking gentle cleansers for sensitive skin, prompting formulators to replace traditional sulfates with milder alternatives like SLI. The trend toward sustainable and waterless beauty formats, such as solid shampoo bars and facial cleansers, also accelerates SLI usage. Additionally, the presence of leading cosmetic brands and a strong focus on ingredient transparency continue to support market growth.

Europe Sodium Lauroyl Isethionate Market Trends

The Europe sodium lauroyl isethionate market is expanding in Europe due to strict regulatory standards and strong consumer demand for eco-friendly, sulfate-free personal care products. The region’s emphasis on skin-sensitive formulations and natural ingredients has led to increased adoption of SLI in skincare and haircare applications, particularly in countries like Germany, France, and the UK.

Latin America Sodium Lauroyl Isethionate Market Trends

In Latin America sodium lauroyl isethionate market is growing steadily, supported by rising awareness of gentle and skin-friendly personal care products. Countries like Brazil and Mexico are seeing increased demand for sulfate-free shampoos and facial cleansers, driven by urbanization, expanding middle-class consumers, and growing local cosmetic skin care.

Middle East & Africa Sodium Lauroyl Isethionate Market Trends

The sodium lauroyl isethionate market in the Middle East and Africa is gaining traction as demand rises for mild, sulfate-free personal care products suited to sensitive and dry skin types common in the region’s climate. Growth is supported by increasing consumer awareness, urbanization, and the expanding presence of international and regional cosmetic brands.

Key Sodium Lauroyl Isethionate Company Insights

Some key players operating in the market include BASF SE and Henan Surface Chemical Industry.

• BASF SE is a globally recognized German chemical company that operates as the largest chemical producer in the world. The company operates through six main business segments, namely, industrial solutions, chemicals, materials, surface technologies, agricultural solutions, and nutrition and care. Its diverse portfolio encompasses a wide array of chemical products such as performance products, plastics, functional solutions, and others. One of the company’s main areas of expertise is the production of carotenoids and beta-carotene and its related products, which are utilized in the food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and animal feed industries.

Recent Developments

• In April 2025, Godrej Industries acquired the surfactants and food additives business of Savannah Fine Chemicals, a South Africa-based firm. This strategic move aims to strengthen Godrej’s presence in Africa’s specialty chemicals and personal care ingredients market. The acquisition includes a portfolio of surfactants used in personal care, home care, and industrial applications, allowing Godrej to expand its global footprint and tap into high-growth markets across the African continent.

Sodium Lauroyl Isethionate Market Report Scope

Global Sodium Lauroyl Isethionate Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue and volume growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global sodium lauroyl isethionate market report based on form, application, and region.

• Form Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Powder

  • Chips/Flakes

  • Granules

  • Other Form

• Application Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Hair Care

    • Shampoo Products

    • Conditioner Cleansers

    • Other Hair Care Products

  • Skin Care

    • Facial Care Products

    • Body Care Products

    • Other Skin Care Products

  • Other Application

• Regional Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • UK

    • France

    • Italy

    • Spain

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • India

    • Japan

    • South Korea

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

    • Argentina

  • Middle East & Africa

    • Saudi Arabia

    • South Africa