Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Mild surfactant from taurine and coconut fatty acids. Foams stably across a wide pH range, including hard water, gentle on skin.
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
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate (SMC Taurate) is a mild anionic surfactant from taurine and coconut fatty acids. Close to SCI in mildness but delivers a thinner, easier-to-rinse texture, which suits gels and foam cleansers. Mechanism. Produces stable foam across a wide pH range (5-9), retains activity in hard water. Acts gently on stratum-corneum proteins: TEWL after washing rises 10-15% (vs 30-50% with SLS). Where applied. Mild face wash gels, sulfate-free shampoos, atopic-skin cleansers. In Spain it is popular in CeraVe Foaming Cleanser, Klorane Mild shampoos, K-beauty foams at Sephora. Evidence base. Comparative tests against SLES and SCI (Mehling 2007, Bárány 2000) showed less barrier disruption and a profile suitable for sensitive skin. Recommended for seborrheic dermatitis, rosacea, atopy. Safety. CIR confirmed safety as a rinse-off ingredient up to 30%. Non-sensitizing, non-comedogenic. No systemic absorption. Pregnancy and lactation – safe.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate safe during pregnancy?
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate is considered safe during pregnancy at typical cosmetic concentrations. Systemic absorption through the skin is minimal.
What skin types is Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate for?
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate suits: normal, dry, oily, combination, sensitive.
What is Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate and what does it do in cosmetics?
Mild surfactant from taurine and coconut fatty acids.
What's the INCI name for Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate?
The INCI name is Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate. It may also appear as: SMC Taurate.
See Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate 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
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