Ingredient · dataset v56
Sodium Methyl 2-Sulfolaurate and fungal acne
May trigger · Limited evidence
Why it's a potential trigger
Methyl ester of alpha-sulfonated lauric acid (C12 MES, RCH(CO2Me)SO3Na): Malassezia yeast ester-cutters hydrolyze such methyl esters, freeing 2-sulfolauric acid plus methanol — the same sulfonated C12 acid as the disodium row, one salt step from the ruled Sodium Laurate soap.
Precautionary: no Malassezia feeding or desulfonation record found either way; the C-S sulfonate bond is not an ester the documented yeast cutters act on, and breaking it in biology is bacterial sulfur-scavenging (SsuD/TauD), no yeast record. Revisit if defined-medium growth data shows no use. Rinse-off does not clear soaps — wash-off shown, flag stays.
Evidence strength
Limited evidence (1/3)
Function
Surfactant
Also listed as
Sodium Methyl 2-Sulfo Laurate
Products without this ingredient
- Pantene Miracle Bond Repair Sulfate-Free Shampoo 13.5 oz
- DERMA E Sun Protection Mineral Powder SPF 30
- Mario Badescu Aloe Vera Toner
- Albolene Moisturizing Cleanser
- Kate Somerville EradiKate Acne Treatment (Sulfur 10%, spot)
- Tower 28 SOS Rescue + Relief Body Wash Treatment 8.4 oz
Related surfactant
- Ammonium Laureth Sulfate — No known trigger
- Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate — No known trigger
- Ammonium Xylenesulfonate — No known trigger
- C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside — No known trigger
- C20-22 Alkyl Phosphate — May trigger · Limited evidence
- Capryloyl Glycine — No known trigger
- Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside — No known trigger
- Cetearyl Glucoside — No known trigger
Sources
- Mayser et al. 1995 — ester hydrolysis depends on alcohol moiety (Acta Derm Venereol)
- Brunke & Hube 2006 — MfLIP1 extracellular lipase hydrolyses Tweens (Microbiology)
- BenchChem 2026 literature review on sulfonated fatty acid methyl ester synthesis — trace-moisture/alkaline hydrolysis of the methyl ester bond gives the alpha-sulfo fatty acid, neutralized to the disodium di-salt; MES stable pH 4.5-9
- Park et al. 2020 — bacterial SsuD/TauD desulfonation under sulfate starvation (Appl Environ Microbiol)
- EU CosIng database — search the INCI name
Last reviewed: 2026-10-13 (dataset v56).
Questions
Does Sodium Methyl 2-Sulfolaurate trigger fungal acne?
We flag it as a potential trigger (limited evidence). That means it belongs to a class the Malassezia yeast is known to feed on — not that every product with it will cause a flare. Concentration, formulation and individual skin chemistry matter.
Does Sodium Methyl 2-Sulfolaurate feed Malassezia?
Yes: we flag Sodium Methyl 2-Sulfolaurate as a potential trigger (limited evidence). It belongs to a class Malassezia is known to feed on — not a claim that every product with it causes a flare. Concentration, formulation and individual skin chemistry matter.
How confident is this call?
Limited evidence: Methyl ester of alpha-sulfonated lauric acid (C12 MES, RCH(CO2Me)SO3Na): the yeast ester-cutters hydrolyze such methyl esters, freeing 2-sulfolauric acid plus methanol — the same sulfonated C12 acid as the disodium row, one salt step from the ruled Sodium Laurate soap.
Is this medical advice?
No. We screen ingredient lists; we never diagnose, treat, or certify products. When in doubt, ask a dermatologist.
Check a full list containing Sodium Methyl 2-Sulfolaurate →
Not medical advice: we screen ingredient lists for potential triggers — we never diagnose, treat, or certify products. Dataset v56.