Sodium Coco‑Sulfate (SCS) is an anionic alkyl sulfate surfactant derived from coconut fatty alcohols (mixed C12–C14+). It provides strong cleansing, abundant foam, and can assist oil‑in‑water emulsification in rinse‑off products.
Regulatory and safety snapshot: the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) considers alkyl sulfates safe as used across typical product categories, with reported use levels up to ~29% in finished products. SCS can be more tolerable than SLS in some tests (lower zein/protein denaturation), but it can still strip lipids—blend and dose for target mildness.
Typical applications include shampoos and solid shampoo bars, body washes, hand soaps, facial cleansers, and even toothpastes/scrubs for cleansing foam.
Usage: Shampoos and shampoo bars; body/hand/facial cleansers; toothpastes/scrubs. Use SCS as part of a surfactant blend (combine with amphoterics and/or mild nonionics) to improve mildness, viscosity response, and creamy foam.
Mixing method:
- For liquid systems: add slowly into water with gentle stirring (warm ~40–60°C if needed). Control dust; allow full hydration before adding thickeners or fragrance.
- Pair with Cocamidopropyl Betaine and/or APGs; then adjust pH (target ~4.5–6.5). Build viscosity with a light salt addition or polymer/gum as needed. Avoid vigorous mixing to limit air/foam.
- For solid bars: melt/soften the fatty/binder phase first, then incorporate SCS carefully; add liquids/additives below ~70°C. Press/mold and allow to set 24–48 h; test hardness, mush rate, and foam.
Usage rate: Liquids ~1–10% as part of the blend (total AM typically 8–15% for face, 10–18% for body/hair). Solid bars ~20–60% depending on co‑surfactants and bar hardness.
Product characteristics: White to off‑white needles/granules; anionic surfactant.
Solubility: Soluble in water; limited in glycols; insoluble in oils.
