Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB / CAB)

Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB / CAB)-CAS 61789-40-0

Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB / CAB) is the world's most widely used amphoteric surfactant - the industry standard co-surfactant found in over 90% of all shampoos, body washes, and liquid soaps globally. Derived from renewable coconut fatty acids, it functions as the universal "bridge surfactant" that dramatically improves foam quality, viscosity building, and mildness in all cleansing formulations.

The classic 3:1 blend of SLES + CAPB is the most successful surfactant system in personal care history - used by every major brand and produced at millions of tons annually. CAPB's unique zwitterionic structure provides excellent compatibility with all surfactant classes, exceptional salt-thickening response, and synergistic irritation reduction when blended with anionic surfactants. It is the foundation of modern personal care cleansing technology.

Key Benefits

✅ World's #1 amphoteric surfactant - 90% of all shampoos contain CAPB
✅ Universal compatibility with ALL surfactant classes (anionic, cationic, nonionic, amphoteric)
✅ Industry standard 3:1 SLES + CAPB blend - most successful formula ever
✅ Exceptional salt-thickening response - builds viscosity efficiently
✅ Dramatically improves foam quality - richer, creamier, more stable
✅ Synergistically reduces irritation of anionic surfactants
✅ Excellent hard water tolerance - unaffected by water hardness
✅ Broad pH stability 3.0-10.0 - works in all formulations
✅ Outstanding conditioning and antistatic properties for hair
✅ 100% coconut-derived renewable raw material
✅ Readily biodegradable - >90% in 28 days
✅ Extremely cost-effective - best value performance surfactant
✅ Cold processable - no heating required

✅ Works in both clear and opaque formulations

Applications

Universal Personal Care (90% of all cleansing products):
• All Shampoos: 3-7% - standard co-surfactant in EVERY shampoo
• All Body Washes: 3-6% - universal shower gel base
• Facial Cleansers: 2-5% - mildness booster
• Hand Soaps: 3-8% - foam and viscosity builder
• Bubble Baths: 5-10% - rich long-lasting foam
• Baby Cleansers: 2-4% - irritation reduction
• Sulfate-Free Formulations: 3-8% - essential co-surfactant

Formulation Best Practices:
• ✅ INDUSTRY GOLD STANDARD: SLES 70% + CAPB 35% = 3:1 ratio
• ✅ VISCOSITY BUILDING: NaCl 1-3% = perfect thickening response
• ✅ MILD FORMULA: CAPB + Amino Acid surfactants = synergistic mildness
• ✅ FOAM BOOSTER: CAPB improves foam of ALL primary surfactants
• ✅ pH RANGE: Optimal 4.5-6.0, stable across full 3.0-10.0
• ❌ PREMIUM UPGRADE: Replace CAPB with CHSB (Hydroxysultaine) for better mildness
• �� FOUNDATION OF MODERN CLEANSING: Every major brand uses this system

Certificate Of Analysis (COA)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Document Request Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Document Request

Q1: Why is CAPB in 90% of all shampoos and body washes?
A: CAPB is the PERFECT all-around co-surfactant - it solves 4 problems at once:

1. Foam: Makes foam richer, creamier, and more stable

2. Viscosity: Enables salt thickening - the cheapest and easiest thickening method

3. Mildness: Synergistically reduces irritation of anionic surfactants

4. Compatibility: Works with EVERYTHING - anionic, cationic, nonionic, amphoteric
No other surfactant does all 4 this well at this cost point. This is why it is the industry standard and will remain so for the foreseeable future.

Q2: What is the exact SLES:CAPB ratio and why does it work?
A: 3:1 is the scientifically proven industry sweet spot:

• 15% SLES 70% + 5% CAPB 35% = standard shampoo base
This ratio provides:

• Optimal foam volume and quality

• Perfect salt thickening curve

• Maximum mildness improvement

• Best cost-performance balance
Ratios from 2:1 to 4:1 all work, but 3:1 is the universal standard used by P&G, Unilever, L'Oreal, and every major brand.

Q3: Can CAPB be used in sulfate-free and natural formulations?
A: ABSOLUTELY - CAPB is essential in sulfate-free formulations:

• Sulfate-Free Base: 10% Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate + 5% CAPB

• APG Natural Base: 8% Lauryl Glucoside + 8% CAPB
CAPB provides the viscosity building and foam improvement that amino acid and APG surfactants lack. There is NO successful sulfate-free formulation on the market that does not contain CAPB or CHSB.

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