A Mild and Effective Cleanser: Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate Gains Industry Attention

As consumers increasingly demand gentle, natural, and sustainable cleansing products, a green surfactant derived from coconut oil—Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate (SCI)—is emerging as a favored ingredient in the personal care industry.

Naturally Derived and Skin-Friendly

Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate is an anionic surfactant synthesized from fatty acids of coconut oil and isethionic acid. Its molecular structure contains both a hydrophilic sulfonate group and a lipophilic coconut-derived chain, giving it excellent foaming ability, effective cleansing power, and exceptional mildness. It is widely used as a safer and gentler alternative to traditional soap bases and harsher surfactants such as SLS/SLES.

Key Application Areas

Solid Facial Cleansers
In cleansing bars, sticks, and mousse cleansers, SCI provides rich, creamy foam and low irritation, making it ideal for sensitive skin and daily facial care products.

Syndet Shampoo Bars / Solid Shampoos
As a non-soap base, SCI is a primary ingredient in solid shampoo formulations. It delivers effective yet non-drying cleansing, especially suitable for dry or chemically treated hair, and works well in combination with other mild surfactants like betaine derivatives.

Baby and Children’s Personal Care
Due to its ultra-mild properties, SCI is widely used in baby bubble baths, children’s shampoos, and body washes, offering safe and gentle cleansing for delicate skin.

Toothpaste and Shaving Products
SCI is also found in certain natural toothpaste and shaving creams, where it enhances foam stability and smooth texture, contributing to a pleasant user experience.

Eco-Friendly and Promising Future

What sets Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate apart is not just its performance but also its biodegradability and renewable plant-based origin. As the global cosmetics and personal care industry moves toward “soap-free and sulfate-free” formulations, SCI represents a safer and more sustainable surfactant choice.

With the rise of the clean beauty movement worldwide, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate has become a bridge between green chemistry and effective skincare, widely adopted by leading brands across Asian low-foam cleansers and Western natural solid shampoos.