Cocoyl Sarcosine
AKA: N-methylglycine, 2-(methylamino)acetic acid, Sarcosinic acid, Methylaminoacetic acid
Synthetic
Cleanser
Skin Conditioner
Hair Care
Amino Acid
Plant Oil
Clean
Glycine, N-methyl-, N-coco acyl derivs.
Formula
C3H7NO2
Mol. Weight
89.09
CAS #
68411-97-2
Form
Liquid
Functions
Cleansing
Makes oil and water mix so dirt, makeup, and sunscreen can actually be washed away. The reason your face wash foams.
Hair Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Cleansing
Makes oil and water mix so dirt, makeup, and sunscreen can actually be washed away. The reason your face wash foams.
Surfactant Cleansing
Moisturizing
Fights Acne
Strengthens Barrier
Removes dirt and impurities
Lifts away dirt and oil
Softens and detangles hair
Traditional Use
Developed as a mild, coconut-derived surfactant in the mid-20th century, designed to provide gentle cleansing properties while reducing skin irritation compared to harsher synthetic detergents.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewednone on file
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed3 reviews →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR