Product: Cocoamido Propyl betain(CAPB)

Rchem Cocoamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB) is a high-purity, amphoteric surfactant supplied as a clear, colorless to pale yellow, viscous liquid. This mild, versatile, and coconut-derived surfactant is renowned for its exceptional foam-boosting, viscosity-building, and conditioning properties. It is a cornerstone ingredient in personal care formulations for its ability to significantly reduce the irritation potential of primary anionic surfactants (such as SLES and SLS) while enhancing foam creaminess and stability, making it an essential component in mild, high-performance shampoos, body washes, facial cleansers, and liquid soaps.

Category: powder

Description

Rchem is a leading supplier of premium-quality Cocoamidopropyl Betaine in Pakistan, providing a reliable and multifunctional co-surfactant for mild yet effective personal care formulations. Our product is valued for its synergistic interaction with anionic surfactants, where it reduces irritation, boosts foam volume, increases foam creaminess and stability, and improves the overall sensory profile of the finished product. It also provides mild conditioning benefits to hair and skin without weighing them down. Trusted by manufacturers across Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, our CAPB ensures your shampoos, shower gels, facial cleansers, and hand soaps deliver superior mildness, rich creamy lather, and excellent user experience. Rchem is your trusted partner for mild, high-performance amphoteric surfactants.

Key Features & Benefits:

● Excellent natural thickening agent with high viscosity at low concentrations
● Effective stabilizer for emulsions and suspensions in various formulations
● Clean-label ingredient suitable for organic and natural product formulations
● Improves texture and shelf life in food products
● Enhances viscosity and stability in cosmetic formulations
● Cost-effective alternative to synthetic thickeners and stabilizers

Technical Specifications Table:

Property

Detail

Apperance

Clear to slightly hazy, viscous liquid; colorless to pale yellow

Scent

Faint, characteristic mild odor

Solubility

Soluble in water

Uses

Co-surfactant, foam booster, viscosity builder, mildness enhancer, conditioning agent

pH

4.5 – 6.0 (typically slightly acidic)

Charge

Amphoteric (Cationic at low pH, Anionic at high pH, Neutral at isoelectric point ~pH 5)

Used In

Shampoos, body washes, facial cleansers, liquid hand soaps, baby washes, bubble baths, shaving creams, contact lens solutions

Usage Rate

30% ± 1% (typically 30% in aqueous solution)

Product Origin

Derived from Coconut Oil (Cocamide) + Dimethylaminopropylamine + Sodium Monochloroacetate

PALM DERIVATIVES STATUS

Palm-Free (Derived from coconut oil, not palm)

VEGAN SUITABLE

Yes

Chemical Formulae

C₁₉H₃₈N₂O₃ (typical)

Frequently Asked Questions:

Why is CAPB considered an essential ingredient in mild personal care formulations?

CAPB is essential for mild formulations because of its unique amphoteric nature. When combined with primary anionic surfactants (like SLES or SLS), CAPB molecules position themselves between the anionic surfactant molecules and the skin surface. This reduces the availability of free anionic surfactant to interact with and potentially irritate skin proteins. Additionally, CAPB helps to solubilize and rinse away anionic surfactants more completely, leaving less residue on the skin. The result is a formulation that cleanses effectively with significantly less irritation and dryness.

CAPB offers a unique combination of properties: (1) Excellent foam boosting – It significantly increases both foam volume and creaminess, which many other mild surfactants do not; (2) Good viscosity building – It works with salt to increase thickness; (3) Mild conditioning – Provides light conditioning without heaviness; (4) Cost-effectiveness – CAPB is more economical than many specialty mild surfactants (like Glucosides or Glutamates) while offering superior foam. For these reasons, CAPB is the most widely used amphoteric surfactant in personal care.

What is the primary difference between CAPB and other amphoteric or non-ionic surfactants?

CAPB has been extensively studied and is considered safe for use in personal care products by regulatory bodies worldwide, including the FDA and EU SCCS. However, early grades of CAPB sometimes contained trace impurities of cocamidopropyl dimethylamine (amide) and 3-dimethylaminopropylamine (amine) , which were associated with contact allergy in a small percentage of users. Modern high-purity CAPB (like Rchem's product) uses improved manufacturing processes that reduce these impurities to trace, non-allergenic levels. For extremely sensitive formulations, "low-amine" or "high-purity" CAPB grades are available.

Is CAPB safe, and what about the concern regarding impurities (amide, amine)?

In a typical SLES-based shampoo: (1) Foam – Adding CAPB (typically 2-8%) increases foam volume by 30-50%, enhances foam creaminess and density, and improves foam stability over time; (2) Viscosity – CAPB alone provides some viscosity, but it works synergistically with salt (NaCl). As salt is added, the viscosity increases significantly, peaks at an optimal salt level, then decreases if excess salt is added. The exact response depends on the ratio of CAPB to primary surfactant; formulators must optimize through experimentation.

How does CAPB affect the viscosity and foaming of a shampoo formulation?

Handling: Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) including gloves and safety goggles. CAPB is a viscous but pumpable liquid at room temperature. If crystallization or cloudiness occurs (rare), gently warm to 30-40°C with mixing. Formulation: (1) Add CAPB to the water phase along with primary anionic surfactants; (2) Typical usage levels: 2-10% as active (6-30% as supplied 30% solution); (3) For sensitive skin formulations, use ratios of SLES:CAPB between 3:1 and 5:1; (4) Adjust final pH to 5.0-6.0 for optimal mildness and preservation; (5) Add salt (NaCl) gradually (0.5-2%) to build viscosity; (6) Avoid overheating above 60°C (140°F) to prevent degradation. Always refer to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for comprehensive handling, safety, and first-aid information.

Product: Cocoamido Propyl betain(CAPB)