Common Name(s): Amphoteric betaine surfactant,mild co-surfactant,conditioning foam enhancer

CAS Number: N/a

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Boosts foam, reduces irritation of co-formulated anionic surfactants through mixed micelle charge dilution, and provides mild conditioning to skin and hair from zwitterionic surface interactions.

Why It's Used: Betaine co-surfactants are the standard mildness-enhancing component in shampoos and body washes — 2–5% cocamidopropyl betaine provides 20–40% irritation reduction in sls-based formulations through mixed micelle charge dilution.

How It Works: At cosmetic ph 5–7, betaine's quaternary ammonium positive charge and carboxylate negative charge provide net-zero zwitterionic character. mixed micelles formed with anionic surfactants have lower net surface charge density — reducing protein-binding electrostatic driving force and providing the mildness enhancement. substantive conditioning from cationic character below isoelectric point.

Typically Found In: Shampoos,body wash,mild cleansers

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Active ingredient – cosmetic active

Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning

Application Areas:

Typical Concentration Range: 3%–20%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Conditional - feedstock declaration required

Halal Status: Unverified - feedstock declaration required (plant, animal and petrochemical routes all exist)

Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier. [audit 2026-07-29 rev2: origin-dependent: the same inci exists in plant, animal and petrochemical versions and the name does not discriminate. determination requires shariah-panel sign-off.]

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low

Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic

Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.

Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes

SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY

Safety Profile: Good safety profile at recommended concentrations. ewg score: 1–2.

Works Well With: Standard skincare actives

Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Mixed micelle formation between betaine and sls changes the effective hlb and surface charge of the micelle surface — the charge dilution effect reducing protein denaturing activity follows a non-linear relationship with betaine fraction, with maximum benefit achieved at 30–40% betaine in the surfactant blend.

Last Verified: 2026-03-12

Primary Sources: Cosing database,behenamidopropyl betaine amphoteric betaine review