Sodium Coco Sulfate (SCS), 250 g

Sodium Coco Sulfate (SCS)

Sodium Coco Sulfate, abbreviated SCS, is an anionic surfactant that serves as the primary cleansing ingredient in shampoos, shower gels and bath preparations. It cleans well and, according to the manufacturer, forms a creamy, stable lather, making it suitable to carry a formula as the primary surfactant without an additional strong cleansing surfactant. It is produced from fatty alcohols of coconut and palm kernel oil and holds COSMOS and NATRUE approval.

In formulations it replaces Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and the ethoxylated Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES). No ethylene oxide is used in production, so the ingredient meets the requirements of concepts free from SLES, EO-free and 1,4-dioxane-free. It is supplied as granules that flow freely and dose accurately, which manufacturers appreciate especially in solid shampoos, shower bars and powder formulations.

Key benefits

• Cleansing performance and lather – according to manufacturer data it has strong cleansing efficacy and forms a creamy, stable lather, making it suitable as a primary surfactant.
• Renewable origin – the ingredient contains 100% renewable carbon, contains no preservatives, antioxidants or solvents and is suitable for formulations with natural-origin ingredient claims.
• Salt thickening – liquid products with SCS can be thickened with common salt (NaCl), without special thickeners.
• Solid and liquid formats – the granules suit solid shampoos and shower bars for zero-waste concepts and can equally be dissolved into liquid preparations.
• Readily biodegradable – meets OECD 301 criteria and the manufacturer lists it as suitable for products bearing the Nordic Swan ecolabel.

Use in formulation

SCS is water-soluble and belongs to the water phase. The recommended usage level is approximately 5 – 40% depending on the product type and desired cleansing strength. It is processed at a temperature up to 50 °C; the granules are dissolved in water before the remaining ingredients are added.

The finished product should have a pH in the range of 5.5 – 7.5; after dissolving, check the solution and adjust to the target value. The ingredient is compatible with anionic, non-ionic and amphoteric surfactants and works in neutral as well as alkaline conditions. In liquid formulations it is commonly combined with amphoteric or non-ionic surfactants.

For solid shampoos and shower bars, the granules are worked into a solid mass together with other surfactants, oils, butters and conditioning ingredients. The granular form makes it easier to weigh and distribute evenly throughout the mass.

Suitable for products such as

• Shampoos – liquid and solid, especially for hair prone to oiliness, where stronger cleansing is desirable.
• Shower gels, bars and bath preparations – where rich lather and thorough cleansing are expected.
• Liquid soaps and facial cleansers – rinse-off products for oily and normal skin.
• Bath bombs and salts – as a foaming component in a dry mix, where the granules require no water.
• Toothpastes and oral care preparations – the manufacturer lists these among the application areas for this surfactant.
• Laundry and household cleaning products – powder and solid laundry blends, cleaning agents and dishwashing products.

Good to know

SCS is intended for rinse-off products. It is not suitable for serums, creams or other leave-on preparations.

The ingredient itself contains no preservative. Liquid products containing water therefore require a preservative, while solid anhydrous formats such as shampoo bars and bath bombs typically do not, provided water is not introduced.

The ingredient contains 90 – 95% active matter, so when converting a formula from liquid surfactants of lower concentration, account for a lower weight-in. For dry or more sensitive skin, the proportion of SCS is usually reduced in favour of amphoteric and non-ionic surfactants.

Unlike SLS, Sodium Coco Sulfate contains a mixture of fatty alcohol sulfates with chains of C12 to C18 from coconut and palm kernel oil, with C12 to C14 predominating. The result is an equally effective surfactant that retains natural-origin status according to COSMOS and NATRUE.

Frequently asked questions