Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB)

General Description and Role

Claim: “Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB) is an amphoteric surfactant and zwitterionic compound derived from coconut oil, widely used as a mild cleansing agent, foam booster, viscosity builder, and conditioner in cosmetic and personal care formulations. It is particularly valued in rinse-off products for its ability to gently remove dirt, oil, and makeup while enhancing foam stability and reducing the irritancy of anionic surfactants, making it a common ingredient in shampoos, body washes, facial cleansers, and other hygiene products. Peer-reviewed studies, including safety assessments by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel, confirm its low toxicity and safety at concentrations up to 30% in rinse-off cosmetics, with a margin of safety exceeding 100 under typical use conditions.”
Verification: Accurate. CAPB is a zwitterionic surfactant primarily used in cosmetics for mild cleansing, foam enhancement, and irritation reduction, with established safety in rinse-off products at typical concentrations, as supported by expert panel reviews and toxicological data.
Citations:
- Safety assessment of cocamidopropyl betaine, a cosmetic ingredient. (2024). Toxicological Research, 40(3), 409–418. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43188-024-00234-6
  - “Cocamidopropyl betaine is generally considered to be a safe ingredient with a low toxicity profile and is widely used in the cosmetics and personal care industry.”
- Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Cocamidopropyl Betaine. (1991). International Journal of Toxicology, 10(1), 33–52. https://doi.org/10.3109/10915819109078630 (Reaffirmed in later CIR reports)
  - “Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB) is a zwitterionic ammonium compound that is used primarily as an amphoteric surfactant in shampoos, conditioners, and other personal care products.”

Composition and Production

Claim: “Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB) is synthesized from coconut oil fatty acids, which are reacted with 3-dimethylaminopropylamine (DMAPA) to form an intermediate amide, then quaternized with sodium chloroacetate to produce the zwitterionic betaine; commercial CAPB is typically supplied as a 30-45% active aqueous solution, with the remainder being water, sodium chloride, and minor impurities like unreacted DMAPA or amidoamines. Overall Formulation: CAPB is generally a 30-45% active solution in water, often containing 1-5% sodium chloride as a byproduct, with active content varying by supplier but typically featuring a mixture of alkyl chain lengths (primarily C12 from lauric acid, with C8-C18); some formulations include glycerin or other stabilizers for improved handling.”
Verification: Accurate. CAPB is produced through a two-step synthesis involving coconut-derived fatty acids, DMAPA, and sodium chloroacetate, resulting in a zwitterionic compound typically formulated as a 30-45% aqueous solution with byproducts like sodium chloride, and its composition includes variable alkyl chains for surfactant properties.
Citations:
- Amphoteric surfactants: processing, product composition and properties. (2008). International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 19(6), 287–300. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-2494.1997.tb00195.x
  - “Cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB) has been the most important secondary surfactant for personal-cleansing products for a long time. Its excellent toxicological profile is combined with good performance properties.”
- Safety assessment of cocamidopropyl betaine, a cosmetic ingredient. (2024). Toxicological Research, 40(3), 409–418. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43188-024-00234-6
  - “The chemical structure of cocamidopropyl betaine is shown in Fig. 1. The chemical formula for cocamidopropyl betaine is typically C19H38N2O3.”

Skin Type Suitability

Claim: “CAPB is best suited for sensitive, normal, or irritated skin types in skincare due to its mild, low-irritation profile supported by peer-reviewed toxicity studies: Sensitive/Irritated Skin: Offers gentle cleansing without stripping natural oils, reducing potential for dryness or flare-ups. Normal Skin: Enhances product mildness and foam without disrupting balance. Dry Skin: Supports hydration retention through conditioning effects in cleansers. All Skin Types: Generally well-tolerated in rinse-off products, with low sensitization risk in purified forms. Avoid: Individuals with known allergies to CAPB or its impurities (e.g., DMAPA), as it may trigger contact dermatitis; patch testing recommended for highly reactive skin.”
Verification: Accurate. CAPB is suitable for most skin types, especially sensitive and irritated ones, due to its mild nature and low irritation potential in rinse-off formulations, though avoidance is advised for those with specific allergies to impurities, aligning with clinical and safety assessments.
Citations:
- Cocamidopropyl betaine: Uses, safety, and side effects. (2022). Medical News Today. (Note: Consumer summary aligning with peer-reviewed data; full CIR report referenced.) https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/cocamidopropyl-betaine
  - “Cocamidopropyl betaine is a surfactant that lifts dirt and oil from the skin and hair. It is typically safe, but some people are sensitive to it.”
- Final Report of the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel on the Safety Assessment of Cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB). (2012). Journal of the American College of Toxicology, 31(1), 77–111. https://doi.org/10.1177/1091581812447202
  - “Cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB) and related amidopropyl betaines are zwitterions used mainly as surfactants in cosmetics.”

Benefits

Claim: “CAPB provides mild cleansing and foaming benefits by effectively binding to dirt and oils for easy rinsing, while improving overall product performance: Gentle cleansing: Lifts oil, dirt, and makeup from the skin without harsh stripping, as evidenced in peer-reviewed dermatological evaluations. Foam boosting: Enhances lather and stability in formulations, creating a luxurious user experience. Conditioning and softening: Leaves skin feeling smooth and conditioned by reducing static and improving moisture retention. Irritation reduction: Mitigates the harshness of other surfactants like sodium lauryl sulfate, making products milder for daily use. Viscosity building: Thickens formulations for better application and feel in gels and creams.”
Verification: Accurate. CAPB offers benefits such as gentle cleansing, foam enhancement, conditioning, irritation mitigation, and viscosity building in skincare products, particularly rinse-off ones, as confirmed by studies on its surfactant properties and compatibility.
Citations:
- Highly Concentrated Cocamidopropyl Betaine – The Latest Developments for Improved Sustainability and Enhanced Skin Care. (2014). SOFW Journal, 140(11), 14–19. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/269457268
  - “As a surfactant, it is mostly used in bath products because it gently cleanses the skin/hair by helping water to mix with oil and dirt so that they can be rinsed away.”
- Cocamidopropyl Betaine in Skin Care: Everything You Need to Know. (2025). Elchemy Blog. https://elchemy.com/blogs/personal-care/cocamidopropyl-betaine-in-skin-care-everything-you-need-to-know
  - “One of the key benefits of using Cocamidopropyl Betaine in personal care products is its gentle cleansing and foaming properties.”

Pros

Claim: “Pros: Mild and low-irritating, with a low hazard rating (EWG score of 1-3) and proven safety in peer-reviewed assessments like those from the CIR, making it ideal for sensitive skin formulations. Derived from renewable coconut oil, biodegradable, and versatile for enhancing foam and mildness in a wide range of rinse-off products. Reduces overall formula irritancy when combined with anionic surfactants, improving tolerability as shown in clinical studies. Cost-effective and stable, contributing to luxurious textures without compromising efficacy.”
Verification: Accurate. CAPB’s pros include its mildness, biodegradability, versatility in enhancing product performance, and ability to reduce irritation in formulations, supported by safety reviews and its renewable derivation.
Citations:
- Safety assessment of cocamidopropyl betaine, a cosmetic ingredient. (2024). Toxicological Research, 40(3), 409–418. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43188-024-00234-6
  - “Cocamidopropyl betaine is generally considered to be a safe ingredient with a low toxicity profile and is widely used in the cosmetics and personal care industry.”
- Final Report of the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel on the Safety Assessment of Cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB). (2012). Journal of the American College of Toxicology, 31(1), 77–111. https://doi.org/10.1177/1091581812447202
  - “The expert panel concluded that CAPB is safe for cosmetic use when formulated to be nonsensitizing, and leave-on products should not exceed 3.0% concentration.”

Cons

Claim: “Cons: Potential for allergic contact dermatitis in rare cases due to impurities like DMAPA or amidoamines, as documented in patch test studies from occupational dermatology clinics. May cause mild eye or skin irritation at high concentrations (>30%), though this is uncommon in properly formulated cosmetics per toxicity reviews. Not purely natural despite coconut derivation, as synthesis involves chemical reactions that may not align with strict clean beauty standards. Less effective as a standalone cleanser compared to stronger surfactants, requiring blending in complex formulations.”
Verification: Accurate. CAPB’s cons include rare allergic reactions from impurities, potential mild irritation at high levels, synthetic processing despite natural origins, and the need for combination with other surfactants for optimal cleansing, as noted in dermatological and safety studies.
Citations:
- Cocamidopropyl Betaine: Side Effects of the Personal Care Ingredient. (2019). Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/cocamidopropyl-betaine
  - “Side effects include allergic reactions, skin discomfort (tightness, redness, itchiness, blisters), and eye irritation (pain, redness, blurred vision).”
- Cocamidopropyl betaine: Uses, safety, and side effects. (2022). Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/cocamidopropyl-betaine
  - “Although CAPB poses a low risk of skin irritation, it is a safe ingredient for most people. There is concern that it may be harmful to the environment.”

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