Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, 500 ml

Sodium Cocoamphoacetate is an amphoteric surfactant based on coconut and palm kernel oil, used to make shampoos, shower gels and facial cleansers milder while giving them a richer, more stable foam. In a formulation it works mainly as a secondary surfactant: it softens the action of the main anionic surfactant, boosts foam and helps thicken the finished product.

It suits formulations for sensitive and baby skin, intimate hygiene and sulfate-free concepts. It is processed cold in the water phase, so even a beginner maker can work with it.

What it is good for

• Mild cleansing – in the manufacturer's 24-hour patch test it achieved a very low skin irritation score compared with other surfactants. In a blend it reduces the irritancy of the main surfactant.
• Non-irritating to the eyes – based on the RBC test the manufacturer lists it as non-irritating to the eyes and recommends it for "tear-free" formulations, for example baby shampoos and baths.
• Dense and stable foam – it forms a fine, compact foam. According to the manufacturer's measurements, a blend with an anionic surfactant produces high foam that holds for a long time.
• Viscosity support – combined with anionic surfactants it increases the viscosity of the product.
• Stability across a wide pH range – the recommended range of pH 4 – 11 covers acidic shampoos as well as more alkaline liquid soaps.
• Suitable for natural concepts – COSMOS Approved, vegan, free of sulfates and ethylene oxide, the palm fraction comes from a certified RSPO (Mass Balance) source, readily biodegradable.

Use in formulation

It is added to the water phase, preferably cold. The processing temperature should not exceed 40 °C. It is stirred into water or into the solution of the main surfactant. The recommended dosage is 1 – 10 % of the raw material depending on the product type: lower concentrations for leave-on preparations, higher ones for shampoos and shower gels.

It gives the best results in combination with an anionic surfactant, for example with Sodium Laureth Sulfate or with sulfate-free anionic surfactants. It is compatible with anionic, nonionic, amphoteric and cationic surfactants, so it can also be used in conditioning shampoos with cationic ingredients.

The surfactant is intended for rinse-off and leave-on products. For leave-on preparations such as cleansing creams or wet wipes, we recommend verifying the compatibility of the specific formulation.

Suitable for products such as

• Shampoos – both regular and conditioning, including sulfate-free and baby formulations.
• Shower gels and bath foams – for a richer, stable foam and milder cleansing.
• Facial cleansers – oil-free foaming cleansing gels and cleansing creams for sensitive skin.
• Intimate hygiene products – for low irritancy and stability at a more acidic pH.
• Baby cosmetics – wash gels, shampoos and baths with a "tear-free" concept.
• Liquid soaps and wet wipes – compact foam and low irritancy.

Good to know

• Clouding in the cold – if the raw material has stood at a temperature below 15 °C, it may become cloudy or partially crystallize. The change is reversible; simply let the contents warm to room temperature and stir.
• Contains sodium chloride – when thickening with salt, therefore also account for the salt that the raw material itself brings into the formulation.
• Preservative-free – the raw material contains no preservative of its own; the finished water-based product needs to be preserved.
• Colour and odour – the raw material has a yellowish tint and a faint characteristic odour. In colourless and unscented formulations we recommend verifying the result on a trial batch.

Frequently asked questions