Coconut Acid
Mixture of coconut oil fatty acids (lauric, myristic, palmitic, etc.). Raw material for soaps and surfactants.
Supporting ingredient
It gives a product its texture, stability or shelf life. It has no claimed effect on the skin, so an efficacy tier does not apply. What is known about its safety is below
Tolerability and safety
- Irritation potential
- Low
- Allergen risk
- Low
- Pregnancy
- Safe
- Suitable for
- Normal, Dry, Oily, Combination, Sensitive
About this ingredient
Coconut Acid is a mix of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids isolated from coconut oil. Composition: lauric (45-50%), myristic (18-20%), palmitic (10%), capric (6-8%), caprylic (6-7%), oleic (5-7%), stearic (2-3%), linoleic (1-2%). Raw material for soaps, surfactants, emollients. Where applied. Not used as a standalone cosmetic ingredient. Used as intermediate for sodium cocoate (sodium soap), cocamidopropyl betaine, coco-glucoside, cocoyl isethionate and other derivatives. In finished products it appears rarely – more often in artisan and craft soap as a "natural" component. Mechanism. Free fatty acids on skin form soaps (Na, K salts) – mild surfactants. Lauric acid has antimicrobial action against Cutibacterium acnes (shown in vitro in culture). Evidence base. Functional ingredient (raw material). No direct clinical efficacy on skin – depends on what it is processed into. Solid-soap controversy. Coconut soap (Sodium Cocoate) is one of the more drying soaps due to a high share of short-chain fatty acids (lauric, capric, caprylic). pH 9-10, disrupts the skin acid mantle. Not recommended for the face, especially in atopy, eczema, rosacea, sensitive skin. Alternatives – olive-oil soap (sodium olivate), shea butter (sodium shea butterate), almond (sodium almondate) – milder. Safety. CIR confirmed safety at cosmetic concentrations. Coconut soap above 50% active fraction can cause dryness and peeling, especially on the face. Allergic reactions are rare. Pregnancy and lactation – safe. Acceptable at any stage. Suitable for. Healthy body skin with normal barrier. For the face and sensitive skin – choose soaps based on other oils or syndets (synthetic cleansing bars).
Frequently asked questions
Is Coconut Acid safe during pregnancy?
Coconut Acid is considered safe during pregnancy at typical cosmetic concentrations. Systemic absorption through the skin is minimal.
What skin types is Coconut Acid for?
Coconut Acid suits: normal, dry, oily, combination, sensitive.
What is Coconut Acid and what does it do in cosmetics?
Mixture of coconut oil fatty acids (lauric, myristic, palmitic, etc.).
What's the INCI name for Coconut Acid?
The INCI name is Coconut Acid. It may also appear as: Cocoa Fatty Acids.
See Coconut Acid in a product composition right on the store page
The Evigrade extension adds an evidence panel to iHerb, Sephora, Druni and 12 more stores. This ingredient and every other one in the product show evidence-tier, allergen risk and pregnancy/lactation flags at a glance.
Similar role in the formula
Other functional ingredients
Coconut Alkanes, Cocoyl Proline, Coenzyme A, Copper Gluconate, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Polyethylene, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Aminopropyl Triethoxysilane
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