Cocamidopropyl Betaine
INCI · Cocamidopropyl Betaine · also CAPB
Overview
A coconut-derived amphoteric surfactant used in cleansers, shampoos and micellar waters. It rarely does the cleaning alone; its usual job is to sit alongside a stronger surfactant, thicken the mixture and soften how harsh that partner feels on skin.
Who it's for
It appears across the price range in face washes, body washes and baby cleansers, generally in formulas aiming for a milder feel than a plain sulphate base.
Cautions
It has a documented history as a contact allergen, and the reaction is often traced to manufacturing residues rather than the molecule itself, so purity varies between suppliers. People with a known reaction to it usually recognise the name from a patch-test result rather than from a product label.
- Effective from
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- Max safe
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What does Cocamidopropyl Betaine do in skincare?
A coconut-derived amphoteric surfactant used in cleansers, shampoos and micellar waters. It rarely does the cleaning alone; its usual job is to sit alongside a stronger surfactant, thicken the mixture and soften how harsh that partner feels on skin.
Is Cocamidopropyl Betaine considered safe for skin?
It has a documented history as a contact allergen, and the reaction is often traced to manufacturing residues rather than the molecule itself, so purity varies between suppliers. People with a known reaction to it usually recognise the name from a patch-test result rather than from a product label.