The ingredient, explained
Lauric Acid
Laboratory and mouse research examined free lauric acid.
Ingredient guide
What it is and what it does
Dodecanoic acid
About this ingredient: EU CosIng ingredient registry (via Open Beauty Facts taxonomy) ↗
- Cleansing
- Helps remove material from the body surface.
- Emulsifying
- Helps liquids that do not normally mix form a mixture.
- Surfactant
- Changes surface tension to help a product distribute or interact with other materials.
Function definitions: European Commission ingredient function definitions (SCCNFP/0299/00, pages 16 to 20) ↗
Registry functions describe possible formulation roles, not results for a finished product. A dictionary entry is not an approval or a safety assessment.
A closer look
What the research shows
Animal and laboratory research
It inhibited acne-associated bacteria and reduced inflammation in a mouse model.
What this does not tell us
These findings do not establish human acne benefit or tolerance in finished cosmetics.
Sources for this summary. PubMed 19387482 ↗
Research review checked Oct 1, 2026
Read exact local candidate abstracts first; select identity-relevant papers; targeted primary PubMed/publisher searches. This is not an exhaustive systematic review.
Ingredient research is not proof that a product containing this ingredient works.
Read the 1 selected study
Animal and laboratory research
Antimicrobial property of lauric acid against Propionibacterium acnes: its therapeutic potential for inflammatory acne vulgaris. ↗
The Journal of investigative dermatology · 2009
Follow the formula
Products containing this ingredient
From the wider catalogue. Linked by the ingredient list, without an efficacy ranking.
Names and identifiers
Registry identity
Dodecanoic acid
- INCI name on ingredient lists
- LAURIC ACID
- CAS registry number
- 143-07-7
- EC number
- 205-582-1
Sources for this ingredient record
- EU CosIng ingredient registry (via Open Beauty Facts taxonomy) ↗ · ODbL 1.0 (Open Beauty Facts database) · Recorded Aug 8, 2026