Lauryl Myristyl Amine Oxide

Lauryl myristyl amine oxide (LMAO) is a class of zwitterionic surfactants derived from lauric and myristic acids. It is a versatile surfactant that is used in a variety of personal care and industrial products.

Structure and properties

LMAO has the following general chemical structure:

(C12H25)N+(CH3)2COO-

where R is a fatty alkyl chain. The fatty alkyl chain can be derived from natural sources such as coconut oil or palm oil, or it can be synthetic. LMAO is a white, waxy solid at room temperature and is soluble in water and organic solvents. LMAO is a zwitterionic surfactant, which means that it has both a positive and a negative charge.

Properties:

• Mildness: LMAO is generally a mild surfactant, which makes it suitable for use on sensitive skin.
• Foam boosting: LMAO is a good foam booster, which makes it useful in shampoos and other products that require a lot of foam.
• Skin conditioning: LMAO has been shown to be mildly skin conditioning. This is because it can help to reduce the evaporation of water from the skin.
• Detergent activity: LMAO is a good detergent, which means that it is effective at removing dirt, oil, and other contaminants.

Applications:

LMAO is used in a variety of personal care and industrial products, including:

• Shampoos: LMAO helps to clean the hair and scalp without being too harsh. It also helps to boost foam and provide mild conditioning.
• Conditioners: LMAO helps to distribute the conditioner evenly throughout the hair and helps to reduce frizz.
• Body washes: LMAO helps to clean the body without being too drying.
• Facial cleansers: LMAO can be used in facial cleansers to help remove dirt, oil, and makeup without being too harsh.
• Laundry detergents: LMAO is used in laundry detergents to help remove dirt, oil, and other contaminants from clothes.
• Industrial cleaners: LMAO is used in some industrial cleaners to help remove dirt, grease, and other contaminants.

Safety:

LMAO is generally considered to be safe for human use. However, it is important to avoid getting it in the eyes, as this can cause irritation.

Lauryl myristyl amine oxide is a versatile surfactant that is used in a variety of personal care and industrial products. It is generally a mild surfactant that is also effective at cleaning, foaming, conditioning, and detergency.