Is cocamidopropyl betaine made from coconut?

Cocamidopropyl betaine is a foaming cleanser made by reacting the fatty acids of coconut oil with two other chemicals. The “coc” at the start of the name is the coconut. It is often shortened to CAPB.

It is in most shampoos, body washes and liquid hand soaps, including many sold as gentle, for babies or sulfate-free. It is also one of the better-known causes of contact allergy from wash-off products. Studies point to two impurities left over from its manufacture, amidoamine and DMAPA, as the usual cause, and not to coconut protein.

On a label: cocamidopropyl betaine · cocoamidopropyl betaine · cocamidopropil betaina · cocoamidopropil betaina · capb

Products we checked that contain it

22 of the 115 products in the registry. Each one read off the packet by a person, with the date.

The whole family: Cocamidopropyl betaine / hydroxysultaine
Related names: Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine

Whether this matters for you depends on which kind of coconut allergy you have →

Check a label for this and everything else →

All of coconut’s names

Reactions to refined derivatives vary from person to person. This list helps you ask better questions; your allergist decides what you avoid. Educational only, not medical advice. Always confirm with your allergist.