Science
Mechanism of Action
As an amphoteric surfactant, Sodium Babassuamphoacetate reduces the surface tension at the interface of oil and water, enabling their mixing. This action allows it to effectively encapsulate and lift away dirt, excess oil, and other impurities from the skin and hair, facilitating their easy rinse-off. Beyond its primary cleansing role, it also acts as a foaming agent, a foam booster, and imparts a conditioning effect to formulations, while also assisting in pH adjustment.
Research
Clinical Evidence
Medium confidence3%
Key findings
- 01 Demonstrated low irritability and produced stable, creamy foam when utilized as a mild amphoteric vegetal surfactant in personal and hair care applications.
Transparency
Dusting Analysis
The Formula
Formulation
Stability
Solutions containing related amphoacetates are known to exhibit alkaline pH values, typically ranging from pH 9 to 11. This inherent alkalinity may contribute to microbiological stability within the formulation, potentially reducing the need for additional preservative systems.
Safety
Safety Profile
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel has assessed the broader 'Fatty Amphocarboxylates' family, which includes structurally similar amphoacetates like Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, concluding their safety for cosmetic use. This assessment was reaffirmed in 2024. While a dedicated CIR report for Sodium Babassuamphoacetate itself was not available, related ingredients have been found to be neither irritants nor sensitizers at concentrations up to 10%. However, some mild to severe irritation was observed in healthy and atopic subjects at 3% and 5% for Sodium Cocoamphoacetate under *unrinsed* conditions. The highest reported concentration of use for related ingredients in rinse-off products such as bath soaps and detergents is 18%.
Your Skin
Skin Compatibility
Our Assessment
Verdict
Sodium Babassuamphoacetate is a valuable, babassu oil-derived amphoteric surfactant, offering mild yet effective cleansing, foaming, and conditioning properties, making it well-suited for a wide range of skin types with low irritancy and comedogenicity within established safety concentrations.
Related
Similar Ingredients
Finding similar ingredients…