Cocamidopropyl betaine is a coconut oil-derived amphoteric surfactant widely used in cleansers, shampoos, and body washes to provide foaming, cleansing, and viscosity-building properties. It is often combined with harsher surfactants to reduce overall irritancy.
| Reported effect | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Allergic contact dermatitis | Uncommon | Recognized contact allergen, often attributed to manufacturing impurities (amidoamine, dimethylaminopropylamine) rather than the molecule itself. |
Skin irritation | Uncommon | Mild irritant potential, generally lower than anionic surfactants like SLS. |
Eye irritation | Uncommon | Can cause stinging or irritation on direct ocular contact in rinse-off products. |
Facial or eyelid dermatitis | Rare | Reported in sensitized individuals using shampoos and facial cleansers. |
Frequencies reflect typical cosmetic use reported in the literature, not a guarantee for your skin.
Peer-reviewed papers on this ingredient, via PubMed.