Cocamidopropyl Betaine

5+ year old childrenSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Is this kid-friendly to use Cocamidopropyl Betaine?

YES - Generally Safe
Danger Score: 3 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Cocamidopropyl Betaine is generally considered safe for 5+ year old children when used in topical products. Kids may have different tolerance levels.

ℹ️General Overview

For children 5 years and older, this ingredient is usually OK in shampoos and washes that are rinsed off. It helps make foam and clean without being very harsh for most kids. A small number of people can get skin irritation or allergic rashes, and regulators have raised concerns about possible contaminants from manufacturing.

What to Do

Use products with this ingredient only as a rinse-off (shampoo, body wash). Rinse skin and hair well after use. If your child has eczema or very sensitive skin, avoid products with this ingredient or do a small patch test behind the ear before full use. Choose products from reputable brands that list ingredient sourcing or safety testing when possible. Stop using and rinse thoroughly if you see redness, swelling, blisters, or ongoing itching.

⚠️Warnings

Do not use on broken, sunburned, or eczematous skin. Watch for signs of allergic reaction (redness, itchy rash, bumps); if those occur, stop use and consult your pediatrician. The caution comes from published safety reviews and government assessments (for example, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review expert panel and Environment Canada) which note manufacturing impurities (certain amines and nitrosamines) and recommend limits on how the ingredient is made and used. Avoid leave-on products that contain this ingredient.

Confidence: HIGH

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Immune system: Cosmetic safety reviews (Cosmetic Ingredient Review and draft safety reports) report limited evidence that cocamidopropyl betaine can sensitize skin or trigger allergic reactions. That means it can affect the immune system in some people, especially those with sensitive skin.
Irritant: Industry safety assessments note limited evidence of skin sensitization and explicitly warn the ingredient may be unsafe in products left on the skin (not rinsed off). This shows it can cause redness, itching, or irritation for some users.
Eczema: Safety panels and reports observed cases of sensitization and recommend limits on use and product types. Because it can provoke skin reactions, it may trigger or worsen eczema in sensitive children.
Cancer: Regulatory and industry reviews flag contamination concerns for this ingredient, including nitrosamines and related amines. Nitrosamines are known to be carcinogenic, so impurity risks raise a cancer concern unless impurities are controlled as industry reviewers recommend.
Banned: Expert panels and tentative regulatory reports recommend use, concentration, and manufacturing restrictions for this ingredient and note it is unsafe in some product types (leave-on). While not universally banned, it is subject to regulatory or industry limits in some contexts.
Environmental: A national environmental agency (Environment Canada) flagged this ingredient as a suspected environmental toxin, indicating possible harm to ecosystems if released into the environment.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Cocamidopropyl Betaine

This ingredient may also be listed as:

cocamidopropyl betainecoco-betaineCoco-Betaine(3-LAURYLAMINOPROPYL)DIMETHYLAMINOACETIC ACID, INNER SALTN-[3-(DODECANOYLAMINO)PROPYL]-N,N-DIMETHYLGLYCINATE; COCOAMIDOPROPYLBETAINEUNII-5OCF3O11KX COMPONENT MRUAUOIMASANKQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N1-PROPANAMINIUM,N-DIMETHYL-3-[(1-OXODODECYL)AMINO]-, HYDROXIDE, INNER SALT1-PROPANAMINIUM, N-(CARBOXYMETHYL)-N,N-DIMETHYL-3-((1-OXODODECYL)AMINO)-, HYDROXIDE, INNER SALTAMMONIUM, (CARBOXYMETHYL)(3-LAURAMIDOPROPYL)DIMETHYL-, HYDROXIDE, INNER SALT1-PROPANAMINIUM, N-(CARBOXYMETHYL)-N,N-DIMETHYL-3-((1-OXOCOCONUT)AMINO)-, HYDROXIDE, INNER SALTW-105096UNII-5M84PX7JN2 COMPONENT MRUAUOIMASANKQ-UHFFFAOYSA-NQ1090054COCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE

Always check ingredient labels carefully, as ingredients may be listed under different names.

Products Containing Cocamidopropyl Betaine

This ingredient is found in the following products:

This list shows products that contain Cocamidopropyl Betaine or its alternative names.

Research Articles on Cocamidopropyl Betaine

Scientific research related to this ingredient:

These research articles provide scientific evidence about Cocamidopropyl Betaine safety and effects.

Common Questions About Cocamidopropyl Betaine

Is this kid-friendly to use Cocamidopropyl Betaine?

Yes, Cocamidopropyl Betaine is generally considered safe for 5+ year old children based on current research.

What are the immune system risks of Cocamidopropyl Betaine for children?

Could weaken or confuse immune system.

What are the irritant risks of Cocamidopropyl Betaine for children?

Can cause skin redness, itchiness, or rashes—especially on sensitive baby skin.

What are the eczema risks of Cocamidopropyl Betaine for children?

Linked to triggering or worsening eczema and similar skin conditions.

What are the cancer risks of Cocamidopropyl Betaine for children?

Connected to cancer risk with long-term or repeated exposure.

What are the banned risks of Cocamidopropyl Betaine for children?

Banned or heavily restricted in one or more countries.

What are the environmental risks of Cocamidopropyl Betaine for children?

Possible negative effects on the environment

What products contain Cocamidopropyl Betaine?

Cocamidopropyl Betaine is commonly found in skincare products, cosmetics, and topical applications. Always check ingredient labels before use.

When can kids start using products with Cocamidopropyl Betaine?

The appropriate age depends on the specific ingredient properties and concentration. This analysis is for 5+ year old children. Use the age selector above to check other ages.

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