Biodegradable soap usually has no phosphate and is made up of biodegradable surfactants. Surfactants have many uses; some are cleansers and detergents, while all glide across the skin’s surface to create a uniform coverage area. While formulas for making biodegradable soap are different, there are a few ingredients that most soaps have.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Sodium lauryl sulfate is a cleansing surfactant in many hair and skin products. It is on the safe-to-use list from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA. It also has approval from the Cosmetic Ingredient Review, or CIR, expert panel. It works by allowing dirt and oil to mix with water, creating a solution that rinses away, according to Cosmetics Info.
Lauryl Alcohol
Lauryl alcohol is a fatty acid that comes from plant or animal oils and fats. Lauryl alcohol can be synthetic or natural. It is a surfactant that works as a detergent and creates a smooth surface for soap to glide across. According to the Dean Coleman website, it is an anionic surfactant used especially for removing oil.
Sodium Sulfate
Sodium sulfate is an inorganic salt that functions as a thickener for cleansers, soaps, skin care products and detergents. The FDA and the CIR say it is safe to use. Sodium sulfate can occur naturally in such minerals as thenardite and mirabilite.
Water
Water usually is a main ingredient in most bath and body products. It distributes the other ingredients into the skin or hair. It also provides source from which ingredients like humectants can pull moisture. According to Cosmetics Cop , there is no significant difference between the water content of dry skin and the water content of normal skin; however, water can help in hydration in combination with other ingredients.
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