Cocamidopropyl Betaine

adultsSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Is this safe for adults to use Cocamidopropyl Betaine?

YES - Generally Safe
Danger Score: 3 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Cocamidopropyl Betaine is generally considered safe for adults when used in topical products. Adults generally have higher tolerance.

ℹ️General Overview

For adults: this is a common mild soap-like ingredient used to make shampoos and cleansers foam. It is usually safe when used in products you rinse off. Some people can get irritation or an allergic rash, mainly because of leftover chemicals from how it is made.

What to Do

Use products with this ingredient mainly in shampoos, shower gels and other rinse-off items. If you have sensitive skin, do a small patch test first (apply a little product on the inside of your arm, rinse after a minute, and watch for redness or itching over 24–48 hours). Rinse thoroughly during use. Prefer products from brands that state they control impurities or follow industry safety limits.

⚠️Warnings

Watch for itching, redness, bumps, or blistering where the product is used; stop use and see a doctor if this happens. Avoid using products that contain this ingredient as a leave-on lotion or cream because safety panels recommend against leave-on use without clear safety data. The concern comes from industry and government safety reviews (Cosmetic Ingredient Review and Environment Canada) noting impurity risks such as 3-dimethylaminopropylamine, amidoamine residues, and nitrosamines, and recommending concentration/production controls. Also be aware some certification programs restrict its use unless the maker provides testing showing low impurities.

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 safe for adults to use Cocamidopropyl Betaine?

Yes, Cocamidopropyl Betaine is generally considered safe for adults based on current research.

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

Could weaken or confuse immune system.

What are the irritant risks of Cocamidopropyl Betaine for adults?

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

What are the eczema risks of Cocamidopropyl Betaine for adults?

Linked to triggering or worsening eczema and similar skin conditions.

What are the cancer risks of Cocamidopropyl Betaine for adults?

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

What are the banned risks of Cocamidopropyl Betaine for adults?

Banned or heavily restricted in one or more countries.

What are the environmental risks of Cocamidopropyl Betaine for adults?

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 adults using products with Cocamidopropyl Betaine?

The appropriate age depends on the specific ingredient properties and concentration. This analysis is for adults. Use the age selector above to check other ages.

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