Mild anionic surfactant from coconut fatty acids. Produces dense creamy foam, leaves skin soft, doesn't strip the skin. A modern mild-cleanser standard.
Topical application
BLimited evidence. One RCT or several controlled studies with limitations.
One of the mildest cleansing surfactants, notably milder than SLS. Reactions are rare.
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate (SCI) is an anionic surfactant derived from coconut fatty acids and isethionate. One of the mildest sulfate alternatives. As a white powder it goes into syndets (synthetic detergent bars), gentle foam cleansers and shampoos. Mechanism. Builds a dense creamy lather even in hard water, lifts lipid soils by micellization but barely damages stratum corneum proteins. CMC (critical micelle concentration) is higher than for SLS, so patch-test irritation is roughly 3-5 times lower (Mehling 2007). Where applied. Dove Beauty Bar cleansing bars, CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser face washes, Bioderma Sensibio and La Roche-Posay Toleriane Caring Wash foams, sulfate-free shampoos (Briogeo, Olaplex). In Spain – the backbone of Sesderma Sensyses, Isdin Ureadin gentle cleansers. Evidence base. Comparative studies versus SLS and SLES (Bárány 2000, Effendy 1995) showed less barrier disruption: TEWL after washing with SCI rises 10-15% versus 30-50% with SLS. Suitable for atopic and rosacea patients. Safety. CIR confirmed safety as a rinse-off ingredient in 2013 at concentrations up to 50%. Non-sensitizing, non-comedogenic, no systemic absorption. Pregnancy and lactation – safe. The rinse-off format leaves no residue on skin.
Irritation potential
LowAllergen risk
LowPregnancy
SafeSuitable for
The Evigrade extension adds an evidence panel to Wildberries, Goldapple, Letu, iHerb, Sephora 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.
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate is considered safe during pregnancy at typical cosmetic concentrations. Systemic absorption through the skin is minimal.
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate suits: normal, dry, oily, combination, sensitive.
Mild anionic surfactant from coconut fatty acids.
The INCI name is Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate. It may also appear as: SCI.
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