Lauric acid is a white, powdery solid at room temperature, with a melting point near 43 ⁰C. Lauric acid is isolated from palm plants and coconuts. Even though it is an acid, it is only mildly irritating to mucous membranes. It is used in soaps and shampoos, usually once it has been converted to sodium lauryl sulfate. (Check the list of contents on your shampoo bottle!)