What is sodium cocoyl isethionate(SCI)?
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate (SCI) is an anionic surfactant made from natural coconut oil acid. It has the characteristics of mildness, very low irritation, excellent foaming performance, and easy biodegradability.
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate (SCI) is a surfactant added to mild, high-foaming personal care products. Surfactants are organic compounds with a hydrophobic tail and a hydrophilic head. This means that they can attract oil and water, helping all the different ingredients in the formula to mix together. This also means that they can attract sebum and dirt on the skin and hair and allow them to be washed away with water.
Benefits of Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate(SCI) for skin and hair care
Mildness and suitable for all skin types
One of the main benefits of Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate (SCI) is its mildness, making it suitable for all skin types, including sensitive and delicate skin. It does not strip the skin of its natural oils, which can cause dryness and irritation. It does not disrupt the skin barrier, leaving the skin feeling clean, soft and moisturized. This compound is a good sulfate-free alternative for people who want to avoid commonly known surfactants such as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) or sodium lauryl sulfate (SLES).
Excellent foaming properties and gentle cleansing ability
Furthermore, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate(SCI) has excellent foaming properties, which make it an effective cleanser even in hard water. It creates a rich, luxurious lather that helps to remove dirt, oils, and impurities from the skin and hair, providing a refreshing and invigorating cleansing experience. Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate(SCI) has excellent foaming properties, is not affected by any hard water and alkaline soaps, and works stably as an effective cleanser in hot and cold water. It produces rich, luxurious foam that helps remove dirt, oil and impurities from the skin and hair, providing a refreshing, invigorating cleansing experience, leaving the skin silky soft and smooth, so it is sometimes called “baby foam”.
Readily biodegradable
Biodegradability is also a big advantage. Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate(SCI) is derived from a renewable source, coconut oil, and is therefore readily biodegradable, meaning it breaks down easily in the environment without causing harm to aquatic life or polluting water sources. This makes sodium cocoyl isethionate a more environmentally-friendly alternative to some of the commonly used surfactants in personal care products.
Skin moisturizing
In addition to its cleansing properties, sodium cocoyl isethionate also acts as a moisturizing agent. It helps to retain moisture in the skin and hair, preventing them from becoming dry and brittle. It can also improve the combability and manageability of the hair, making it easier to detangle and style.
Product application
It is widely used in shower gel, shampoo, facial cleanser, cleansing cream, soap, neutral soap and other mild cleaning products. Due to its mild, moisturizing and good fat-rich properties, it can be used as a self-emulsifier in facial cleanser to form a rich pearl-like emulsion, produce rich foam and mild cleaning ability, and give the skin a silky soft and smooth feeling. As a green and mild new surfactant, its excellent commercial value is widely used in the formulation of synthetic detergents. In recent years, it has been increasingly used in other product areas in Europe and the United States, especially compound soaps and personal care products.
Recommended dosage
For facial cleansers 10-55%, for soaps 60%, for shampoos and shower gels 3-6%.
