Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
AKA: SCI, Mild Coconut Surfactant
Allergen Warning
⚠️ Tree Nut (Coconut)
Synthetic
Cleanser
Skin Conditioner
Hair Care
Plant Oil
Clean
Fatty acids, coco, 2-sulfoethyl esters, sodium salts
CAS #
61789-32-0, 58969-27-0
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
Strengthens Barrier
Moisturizing
Removes dirt and impurities
Lifts away dirt and oil
Softens and detangles hair
Traditional Use
Synthesized in the mid-20th century as a coconut-derived amino acid surfactant. Developed to create milder, less irritating cleansers for sensitive skin and baby products compared to earlier sulfate-based detergents.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed2 reviews →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
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Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR