Sodium Coco Sulfate (SCS) - Needles
| Description |
Also known as Coco Sulfate, Sodium Coco Sulfate (SCS) is a solid anionic surfactant of coconut origin. It is not the same thing as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and is generally accepted as a gentler alternative. |
| INCI | Sodium Coco Sulfate |
| Active Surfactant Matter | 95% |
| Appearance | White noodles |
| Usage rate |
The CIR has not declared a maximum usage level for Sodium Coco Sulfate (SCS) in rinse-off products, declaring it “safe for use in rinse-off products”. It is limited to 1% in leave-on formulations (source). As Sodium Coco Sulfate (SCS) is a very effective cleanser, 1%-15% is generally suitable in liquid formulations. Solid cleansers will generally use quite a lot more as Sodium Coco Sulfate (SCS) is 3%-40% part of the solid-ness. As the CIR has not declared a maximum allowable usage level, let the performance of the formulation be your guide. |
| Applications | Shampoos, detergent bars, bubble bath, facial cleansers, baby products, Shaving products |
| Scent | Characteristically soapy/detergent |
| pH | 7.5–10.5 (1% solution) |
| Charge | Anionic |
| Solubility | Water |
| Why do we use it in formulations? | It offers fantastic, fluffy, super-abundant lather and is a strong cleanser. |
| Strengths | Ample, rich lather and strong cleansing/de-greasing. |
| Weaknesses | It is a stronger surfactant and could irritate very sensitive skin. It also has a higher pH and products made with it typically need to be adjusted. |
| How to Work with It |
Wear a dust mask! Inhaling airborne powdered surfactants is unbelievably unpleasant. You can dissolve it into the heated water phase for liquid concoctions or stir/mash the powder into blends of butters and/or other surfactants to create syndet bars. It can also be added to the powder phase of bath bombs and other bath products. |
| Benefits |
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Note: If the formulation calls for the powdered version you need to pre-grind it (wear your dust mask!), but the little noodles look really good in shampoo bars as-is, and the fine powder is very flexible!
