Sodium Olivoyl Glutamate

TL;DR. This ingredient primarily functions as a mild anionic surfactant and emulsifier, helping water mix with oils while adding gentle cleansing and foam support. It is often used in facial cleansers, shampoos, and cream emulsions where a softer skin feel is preferred.

What does Sodium Olivoyl Glutamate do in a cosmetic formula?

This ingredient primarily functions as a mild anionic surfactant and emulsifier, helping water mix with oils while adding gentle cleansing and foam support. It is often used in facial cleansers, shampoos, and cream emulsions where a softer skin feel is preferred.

Is Sodium Olivoyl Glutamate clean?

From a clean-beauty perspective, this ingredient is generally well accepted because it is mild, not a common allergen, and has little restricted-list friction. Its main quality considerations are standard surfactant purity and residual processing salts, rather than a major consumer-safety controversy.

Is Sodium Olivoyl Glutamate sustainable?

This material is typically made from plant-derived fatty acids and an amino acid source, giving it a stronger renewable-sourcing profile than many petrochemical surfactants. It is expected to be readily biodegradable, with a relatively low persistence concern in rinse-off use.

Is Sodium Olivoyl Glutamate COSMOS-approved?

It is permitted under COSMOS-natural and COSMOS-organic formulas when made from allowed feedstocks and compliant processing. It fits Green Chemistry principles reasonably well through renewable inputs, biodegradability, and mild performance at low use levels.

How does Sodium Olivoyl Glutamate work chemically?

The molecule is a sodium salt of an acylated amino acid, with a fatty chain for oil affinity and a charged head group for water compatibility. Typical use is often around 0.5 to 5% active in cleansing systems or lower single-digit levels as a co-emulsifier, and it performs best in mildly acidic to neutral formulas where electrolyte load and pH are controlled.

Last updated 2026-05-13