Cocamidopropyl Betaine

6-12 month old babies β€’ Skin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Can older babies use Cocamidopropyl Betaine?

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USE WITH CAUTION
Danger Score: 5 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Cocamidopropyl Betaine use with caution for 6-12 month old babies when used in topical products. Monitor for any reactions in older babies.

ℹ️General Overview

For babies 6–12 months old (infants, babies, little ones), this ingredient is commonly used in baby washes and shampoos and is generally okay when it is rinsed off. There are higher concerns about impurities and possible skin reactions, so caution is advised.

βœ…What to Do

Use only rinse-off products (bath wash or shampoo) that list this ingredient. Prefer baby-specific, fragrance-free products from trusted brands. Avoid leave-on products (lotions, creams, or wipes left on the skin) that contain this ingredient. For your baby, try a small patch test on the inner forearm and wait 24 hours before regular use. If you see redness, bumps, swelling, or if your baby seems uncomfortable, stop using the product and check with your pediatrician.

⚠️Warnings

Watch for skin irritation, redness, itching, hives, or swelling after use. The main warnings come from industry and government safety reviews (for example, reports from cosmetic safety panels and Environment Canada) that highlight risks from manufacturing contaminants such as amidoamine, DMAPA (dimethylaminopropylamine), and nitrosamines and recommend limits on how this ingredient is used. Also note experts have recommended this ingredient not be used in products that are meant to stay on the skin.

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

Can older babies safely use Cocamidopropyl Betaine?

Use caution with Cocamidopropyl Betaine for 6-12 month old babies. Some safety concerns have been identified.

What are the immune system risks of Cocamidopropyl Betaine for older babies?

Could weaken or confuse immune system. This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.

What are the irritant risks of Cocamidopropyl Betaine for older babies?

Can cause skin redness, itchiness, or rashesβ€”especially on sensitive baby skin. This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.

What are the eczema risks of Cocamidopropyl Betaine for older babies?

Linked to triggering or worsening eczema and similar skin conditions. This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.

What are the cancer risks of Cocamidopropyl Betaine for older babies?

Connected to cancer risk with long-term or repeated exposure. This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.

What are the banned risks of Cocamidopropyl Betaine for older babies?

Banned or heavily restricted in one or more countries. This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.

What are the environmental risks of Cocamidopropyl Betaine for older babies?

Possible negative effects on the environment This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.

What products contain Cocamidopropyl Betaine?

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

Is this appropriate for older babies to using products with Cocamidopropyl Betaine?

The appropriate age depends on the specific ingredient properties and concentration. This analysis is for 6-12 month old babies. Use the age selector above to check other ages.

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