IHL · Surfactants
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
- INCI name
- Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate (and) Stearic Acid
- CAS number
- 61789-32-0 · 57-11-4
- EC number
- Commonly cited as 263-052-5. We could not confirm this against ECHA and do not publish it as verified.
- Physical form
- Extruded noodles
- Country of origin
- Philippines / Indonesia / Malaysia (coconut feedstock)
- HS code
- 3402.42
- Grade
- Cosmetic
- Shelf life
- 24 months from date of manufacture
INCI note
Two grades exist in the market. The classic extruded noodle is SCI (and) Stearic Acid. A second grade is supplied as SCI (and) Coconut Acid (and) Sodium Isethionate (and) Water. Confirm which grade your lot is — the label INCI differs.
CAS note
Coconut acid 61788-47-4 and sodium isethionate 1562-00-1 apply to the alternate grade.
The mild anionic that makes a syndet bar possible. High foam, low irritation, near-neutral pH, and the reason a shampoo bar can clean without stripping.
| Appearance | White to off-white noodles |
|---|---|
| Odour | Mild, faintly fatty |
| Solubility | Sparingly water-soluble; disperses with heat and agitation. Not oil-soluble. |
| Melting point | ≥200 °C (decomposes) |
| pH | 5.0–7.0 (1% aqueous, 25 °C) |
| HLB | n/a (anionic surfactant) |
| Storage | Cool, dry, sealed. Protect from humidity — noodles will cake. |
| Manufacturing process | Esterification of coconut fatty acids with sodium isethionate, then extrusion into noodle form. |
Certifications
- Gluten-free
- Non-GMO
- Not animal tested
- Palm-free
- Vegan
In full: Vegan · Gluten-free · Non-GMO · Palm-free (coconut-derived) · Not animal tested
| Application | Use rate |
|---|---|
| Syndet shampoo bar | 30–60% |
| Liquid shampoo | 3–15% |
| Body wash | 3–10% |
| Facial cleanser | 2–8% |
| Scrub base | 5–20% |
Formulation notes
- Noodles dissolve slowly. For a bar, work them warm (70–75 °C) with a small amount of the liquid phase and let them plasticize rather than trying to melt them.
- SCI dust is a respiratory irritant. Use the noodle form for bar work and reserve powder for liquid systems where dispersion matters more.
- Pairs with cocamidopropyl betaine or coco glucoside for foam quality. On its own the lather is dense but slow to build.
- Anionic. Keep it away from your cationic phase until the bar is set.
Applications
- Syndet shampoo bars
- Solid facial cleansers
- Body wash
- Bubble bath
- Scrub bases
- Baby wash
Signal word: Warning
- GHS07
Hazard statements
- H319 Causes serious eye irritation
- H412 Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects
Precautionary statements
- P264
- P273
- P280
- P305+P351+P338
- P337+P313
- P501
Two independent supplier SDS sources agree on H319 and H412. The powder grade additionally warrants dust-control measures under P261.
- Transport classification
- Not classified as dangerous goods — DOT, TDG, IMDG, IATA, ICAO, ADR/RID, ADN.
- Allergen statement
- FDA classifies coconut as a tree nut for allergen labeling purposes. Declare it. If your lot is the stearic acid grade, the stearic acid component may be palm-derived — RSPO status available on request.
California Proposition 65
No listed constituent identified.
- SDS Safety Data Sheet On request
- TDS Technical Data Sheet On request
- COA Certificate of Analysis On request
- Allergen Allergen statement On request
- GMO GMO statement On request
- BSE/TSE BSE/TSE statement On request
- Vegan Vegan statement On request
- RSPO RSPO certificate On request
We send documents on request. No account, no vendor-qualification fee. Ask for Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate documents.