Ingredients

Sodium Isethionate

What sodium isethionate does in shave creams and face washes, how it relates to sodium cocoyl isethionate, and who it suits.

By Nora Ellison · Published

No specific flag recordedIn 9 products we cover

Annotations are editorial flags, not safety scores or measured reaction rates. How we classify and match ingredients.

Also known as Sodium 2-Hydroxyethanesulfonate

We may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page. It never changes what we recommend.

Chemical structure of Sodium Isethionate (C2H5NaO4S)
Chemical structure of Sodium Isethionate (C₂H₅NaO₄S), drawn from PubChem CID 517063.

Quick facts

INCI name
Sodium Isethionate
CAS number
1562-00-1
Origin
Synthetic
Chemical class
Organic sulfonate salt
Why it is in the formula
Comes along with isethionate cleansers such as sodium cocoyl isethionate as part of the cleansing base.
Regulatory notes
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review panel concluded isethionate salts, including sodium isethionate, are safe in the present practices of use and concentration when formulated to be non-irritating.

What is Sodium Isethionate?

Sodium isethionate is the sodium salt of isethionic acid, also called 2-hydroxyethanesulfonic acid. It’s a small, water-soluble, lab-made molecule.

It’s closely related to sodium cocoyl isethionate, a mild cleansing agent. The difference is that sodium cocoyl isethionate has a fatty chain from coconut oil attached, and sodium isethionate doesn’t. On every product we cover that lists sodium isethionate, it appears together with sodium cocoyl isethionate, mostly in shave creams, plus some face washes and cleansing balms.

What does Sodium Isethionate do?

  • Supports the cleansing system. It usually comes with isethionate surfactants and forms part of the cleansing base.
  • Isn’t a surfactant on its own. The safety review lists the other isethionate salts as surfactants but assigns sodium isethionate no cleansing function, because it lacks the fatty, oil-grabbing part.
  • Dissolves easily in water. It’s a small salt, so it rinses away with the rest of the cleanser.

It’s a helper ingredient. It isn’t there to do anything to your skin directly.

Who is Sodium Isethionate for?

It suits most skin types. You’ll most often see it in shave creams and cleansers built on isethionate surfactants. The safety review concluded isethionate salts are safe as used when formulated to be non-irritating.

Any cleanser can leave skin tight if it’s strong or left on too long. If your skin feels dry or itchy after washing, look at the whole formula, rinse with lukewarm water and follow with a moisturizer. Talk to a dermatologist about a reaction that doesn’t settle.

What to pair Sodium Isethionate with, and what to avoid

There’s nothing to pair in your routine. Use the cleanser as directed and follow with your usual moisturizer. If you double cleanse, an isethionate-based wash works as the second step; the double cleansing guide explains how.

Quick picks with Sodium Isethionate

Picked from label facts only. We haven't tested these products.

All 9 products with Sodium Isethionate

Shaving Creams, Gels & Oils (5)

Gel, Foam & Cream Facial Cleansers (2)

Beard Oils, Balms & Beard Washes (1)

Double-Cleansing Balms & Melting Gels (1)

Common questions

What is sodium isethionate?

It's the sodium salt of isethionic acid, a small, water-soluble molecule. Unlike sodium cocoyl isethionate, it has no fatty chain, so it isn't a cleansing agent on its own.

Why is sodium isethionate in my shave cream or face wash?

On every product we cover that lists it, it appears alongside sodium cocoyl isethionate, a mild cleansing agent. It's part of that cleansing system rather than an active ingredient.

Is sodium isethionate harsh?

A cosmetic safety panel concluded isethionate salts are safe as used when formulated to be non-irritating. How a cleanser feels depends on the full blend of surfactants and how you use it.

Sources