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18 Comments

  1. Do you know of any good surfactants that go well with Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate? In a foaming scrub it pairs that ingredient with cocamidopropyl betaine. At first I was thinking of using cocomidopropyl hydroxysultaine…. It is so hard to find good ingredients for things. I do use the EWG but like you said research still needs to be done even with it.

  2. This was an incredibly helpful article. I’ve been having horrible eyelid swelling and itching reaction from one of my skincare products and finally narrowed it down to my CeraVe Foaming Face Cleanser. The #2 ingredient is cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, and I’m pretty sure impurities in that are the root cause of the problem. Thanks for educating me about the manufacturing process and the fact that it’s not necessarily the ingredient itself but the traces of DMAPA and other impurities. Hoping I can find a decent cleanser without these surfactants. I usually double cleanse in the evening, so I need something with enough cleansing power to get my oil-based cleanser off, and unfortunately a lot of them have this ingredient.

  3. I keep referring back to this article. It is so helpful. Thank you! I have a problem with contact dermatitis on my forehead and this article has highlighted both the sensitizing properties of surfactants whose names end in -dopropyl and the difference between Coco-Betaine and Cocamidopropyl Betaine. Thanks again!

  4. Hi Irina, thanks for the overview of this ingredient and thoughtful comparisons to Cocamidopropyl betaine. I think the safety of these ingredients come down to the sourcing and manufacturing process. The problematic compounds are found in the lower quality versions of these ingredients. They can be produced in a fashion that is safe, but as consumers, we only see the ingredient name. The quality of the ingredients are often unclear when in a list on the back of the tube.

  5. I’m sensitive to Cocamidopropyl Betaine. Three questions:
    1) Does that mean I am allergic to coconut, in general?
    2) Since I’m allergic to CAPB, should I also stay away from Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine ?
    3) What body, hair, and cleaning products would you recommend that don’t have those ingredients?

    1. Hi, Grace: Scientists believe that people who are allergic to CAPB, are allergic to its contaminants, not to coconut. There is no true coconut in CAPB as it is a highly processed ingredient. Thus, most likely you are not allergic to coconut. However, you should get a patch test to coconut to make sure that you are allergic to coconut to be 100% sure. If you are allergic to CAPB, it is possible that you are allergic to Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, too. Products that you see in on my blog and Shop, do not contain these ingredients: https://ireadlabelsforyou.com/shop/ You are here for a treat. Here is a shampoo that I like: https://ireadlabelsforyou.com/safest-shampoos-conditioners/ ~Irina

  6. Can you clarify :Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine was found to be genotoxic in concentrations up to 50%. what does that mean exactly? If its over 50% its not genotoxic? Thank you this is a great breakdown and I am comparing Meyer’s vs Softsoap vs Neutrogena (body wash)

  7. Is it coconut derived? How can you tell if there are coconut derived ingredients under different names in products for people with a nut allergy?

    1. Hi, Jenny: You have to read Cosmetic Ingredient Review reports to learn about the derivation of ingredients. Yes, I believe Cocamidropropyl Hydrosultaine is coconut-derived. ~Irina

  8. Just read several of your articles in doing research on chemicals. Appreciate the helpful information, especially in breaking down the chemical processes as well as the EWG’s findings. Read your honest personal story too. I have hashimoto’s. Standard medical practice doctors here in the midwest just treat the symptoms. I’m 68 yo. Stopped eating meat years ago because one of our sons educated me on the benefits. Helped me with several food allergies. But I could not give up dairy until recently when I went on a plant based diet, which has helped a lot more. However, trying to find all organic body care products sans chemicals is difficult to say the least. I will be using your advice a lot. Thank you. Mary

    1. Hi, Mary: I am happy about your successful experience. You are absolutely right that whatever we put on our bodies, inhale, and ingest as dust matters too. I hope you can take advantage of my consultation service as well. ~Irina

  9. I really enjoy when you break down ingredients this way. It is so enlightening and the article is short enough that it’s not overwhelming or alarmists.

    Thank you so much for all you do!

    1. Hi, Netty! Thank you so much for reading and saying that. It means a lot to me. Lately, I’ve been focusing on presenting confusing information in a more clear way…What shampoo do you use? ~Irina