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Home · Ingredients · Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Neutral
cleansing hair conditioning surfactant

Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate

Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate

Characteristics

INCI
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CAS
61789-32-0, 58969-27-0
EC
263-052-5
Functions
cleansing, hair conditioning, surfactant

Who it's for

Skin Type
▲ Dry ▲ Oily ▲ Combination ▲ Normal ▲ Sensitive ▲ Acne-Prone
Face Concern
▲ Acne ▲ Barrier Repair ▲ Soothing
Body Concern
▲ Dryness ▲ Sensitivity
Hair Concern
▲ Scalp Health
Application Area
▲ Face ▲ Body ▲ Hair ▲ Scalp
fatty acids, coco, 2-sulfoethyl esters, sodium salts

Description

A cleansing agent that's claimed to be so gentle on the skin that it hardly impacts the skin barrier. It also gives a rich, creamy foam, it's based on vegetable fatty acids and is readily biodegradable.

It's an especially important and popular ingredient in "syndet bars" (or soapless soaps). Dr. Leslie Baumann says in her great Cosmetic Dermatology book that thanks to the unique molecular characteristic of Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, it "has defined a new dimension in the mildness of cleansing bars".

Frequently Asked Questions about Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate

What is sodium cocoyl isethionate used for in skincare and hair care?
Sodium cocoyl isethionate, often called SCI, is a gentle surfactant and cleansing ingredient. It helps lift away oil, dirt, and product buildup while creating a rich, creamy lather. You’ll most often see it in solid cleansers, syndet bars, shampoos, and body wash formulations.
Is sodium cocoyl isethionate gentle on skin?
It is generally considered one of the milder cleansing agents compared with many traditional sulfates. Because it cleans by helping oil and dirt mix with water, it can still be drying for some people if used in a very cleansing or frequent-wash formula. Sensitive or very dry skin usually tolerates it better in formulas that also contain moisturizers and low-irritation ingredients.
Is sodium cocoyl isethionate safe to use?
Sodium cocoyl isethionate is widely used in cosmetics and is considered safe at typical cosmetic concentrations. Like any cleanser, it can cause irritation in some people, especially if the formula is harsh, the pH is off, or the skin barrier is already compromised. If you have very reactive skin, patch testing a new product is a sensible precaution.
How do you dissolve sodium cocoyl isethionate powder?
SCI powder is not truly water-soluble, so it does not dissolve easily in plain water. In formulation, it is usually dispersed and then heated with water and other ingredients, or processed into a paste or melted-like base rather than fully dissolved. If added incorrectly, it can stay grainy or clump.
Can sodium cocoyl isethionate be used in shampoo or soap bars?
Yes, it is especially popular in shampoo bars and cleansing bars because it produces a dense, creamy foam and a smoother feel than many harsher surfactants. It is not traditional soap, but a synthetic detergent ingredient used to make syndet bars that cleanse without the high alkalinity of soap. This is one reason it is often chosen for products aimed at dry or color-treated hair.

Evidence & Research on Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate

Scientific publications & sources 1
  • 1
    Leslie Baumann, MD, Cosmetic Dermatology, 2nd edition, Cleansing Agents - page 265

Products with Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate (3 194 total)

Hair
Shampoos 1256 Conditioners & Masks 42 Scalp Scrubs 23 Hair Growth & Loss Prevention 22 Hair Coloring 13 Leave-in Care 8 Styling 4
Face Care
Cleansing 684 Exfoliants & Peels 122 Masks 24 Serums & Essences 6 Lip Balms & Scrubs 3 Eye Care 2 Moisturizers 2 Face Sunscreen 2
Body Care
Shower Gels & Bath Foams 301 Body Scrubs 35 Body Moisturizers 6 Hair Removal 5 Anti-cellulite & Stretch Marks 1 Intimate Hygiene 1
Decorative Cosmetics
Makeup Removers 14 Base & Foundation 2 Eyes 1
Hands & Nails
Hand Creams 5

Most often found in Attitude products (39 items)

hers Clear Waters Facial Cleanser
hers hers Clear Waters Facial Cleanser
HERS
hers Clear Waters Facial Cleanser
hers Detox Scalp Scrub
hers hers Detox Scalp Scrub
HERS
hers Detox Scalp Scrub
Simple Daily Skin Detox Charcoal Cleansing Stick
Simple Simple Daily Skin Detox Charcoal Cleansing Stick
SIMPLE
Simple Daily Skin Detox Charcoal Cleansing Stick
Simple Protect & Glow Clay Mask
Simple Simple Protect & Glow Clay Mask
SIMPLE
Simple Protect & Glow Clay Mask
Happier Multigreens Face Cleanser
Happier Happier Multigreens Face Cleanser
HAPPIER
Happier Multigreens Face Cleanser
Verb Ghost Shampoo (Discontinued)
Verb Verb Ghost Shampoo (Discontinued)
VERB
Verb Ghost Shampoo (Discontinued)
Verb Hydrating Shampoo
Verb
→
Verb Volume Shampoo
Verb
→
About Me Rice Makgeolli Cleansing Foam
About Me
→
Wild Solid Shampoo Coconut & Vanilla
Wild
→
Evo Mane Tamer Smoothing Shampoo
Evo
→
Fresh Body Milk Cleanser
Fresh
→
All 3 194 products →
Synonyms
— Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate (Fragrance) Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate (Medical Talc) Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate ***Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate **Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate **Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate (Coconut-Derived Cleanser) *Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate †Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate Sci SCI (Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate) Sodium Cócoyl Isethionate Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate (*Coconut Oil) Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate (43.7%) Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate (Cleanser Derived From Plants) Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate (Cocoil Isetionato De Sódio)