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Answer: Sodium Cocoamphoacetate is not currently banned worldwide, but health agencies have flagged concerns. The FDA still allows it in US cosmetics and personal-care products. Risk level: low. Commonly found in: California Baby Super Sensitive Shampoo & Body Wash, Vanicream Shampoo for Sensitive Skin.
TL;DR: Sodium Cocoamphoacetate is allowed in the EU but allowed in the US (surfactant).
Reviewed for clarity & usefulness by the BannedPantry Parent Panel
INCI name SODIUM COCOAMPHOACETATE. Also called Cocoampho Acetate. CAS 68334-21-4.
Other names: Cocoampho Acetate
| EU status | Allowed |
|---|---|
| US status | Allowed |
| Risk level | low |
| Where it shows up | California Baby Super Sensitive Shampoo & Body Wash, Vanicream Shampoo for Sensitive Skin |
| CAS number | 68334-21-4 |
Sodium cocoamphoacetate is an amphoteric surfactant derived from coconut fatty acids and glycine. It is a mild, biodegradable surfactant used in baby and sensitive-skin cleansers, often as a replacement for or alongside CAPB.
Provides gentle cleansing, boosts foam, and reduces irritation from other surfactants. Its amphoteric nature makes it compatible with cationic, anionic, and non-ionic systems.
Sodium cocoamphoacetate has an excellent safety and tolerability profile. It is less likely than CAPB to cause contact sensitization and is suitable for baby, pediatric, and compromised-skin formulations. No carcinogenic or hormonal concerns are documented.
For educational use only. This page summarizes the regulatory status of Sodium Cocoamphoacetatewith citations to the primary sources below. It is not medical advice. Regulatory status is not the same as a proven health effect — read the cited sources for their exact wording, and consult a doctor for decisions about your or your family's health.
CAPB or sodium lauramphoacetate as functionally similar amphoteric alternatives.
It has a lower documented contact sensitization rate than CAPB and is preferred in some baby formulas. Both are considered safe; CAPB's sensitization issue was mainly with impurities in early manufacturing.
Amphoteric surfactants have both positive and negative charges depending on the pH, making them extremely gentle and compatible with most other ingredients.
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