Cocamidopropyl betaine (Coco Betaine) is an amphoteric surfactant derived from coconut oil, widely used in cleansers, shampoos, and body washes to provide foaming, cleansing, and viscosity-boosting properties. It is generally considered a mild secondary surfactant that improves the gentleness of formulations.
| Reported effect | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Skin irritation | Uncommon | Mild stinging or redness, more likely in leave-on or high-concentration products |
Allergic contact dermatitis | Uncommon | Often attributed to manufacturing impurities such as amidoamine and dimethylaminopropylamine rather than the molecule itself; named Allergen of the Year 2004 |
Eye irritation | Uncommon | Stinging or burning if product contacts the eyes |
Sensitization with repeated exposure | Rare | Cumulative contact allergy reported in patch-test studies |
Frequencies reflect typical cosmetic use reported in the literature, not a guarantee for your skin.