Is Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB) safe in cosmetics?
Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB) has a safety rating of "GOOD" in our database. EU status: restricted. US status: permitted.
Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB)
INCI: COCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE
Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB) (CAS 61789-40-0 (also 86438-79-1)) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as Surfactant — cleansing; foam boosting; viscosity controlling; antistatic; hair. EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: restricted, max 3% active in leave-on products. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 61789-40-0 (also 86438-79-1) →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Function
Surfactant — cleansing; foam boosting; viscosity controlling; antistatic; hair conditioning
Safety Rating
GOOD
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
restricted
EU Max Conc.
3% active in leave-on products
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
FDA permitted; CIR reviewed — safe when formulated to be non-sensitizing based on QRA
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB).
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Sensitization Profile
Contact sensitization data for Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB) based on clinical patch test studies and IFRA standards.
Sensitization Rate
moderate
Allergen Class
surfactant
EU Allergen Listed
no
Patch Test Positive Rate
3.0%
Cross-reactivity Group
amidoamine-group
Reaction Type
contact-dermatitis
Source: NACDG; IVDK; ESSCA
Dermal Penetration Profile
Skin absorption and penetration characteristics of Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB), relevant to systemic exposure and MoS calculations.
Absorption %
6-12%
Penetration Level
stratum-corneum
Penetration Depth
stratum corneum/epidermis
Molecular Weight
342.5 Da
Log P
0.5
Systemic Absorption
minimal
Topical Bioavailability
4-10%
Safety Margin Factor
moderate
Vehicle Dependent
Yes — absorption varies by formulation
Source: CIR
Typical Use Concentrations
Reported concentration ranges per product category from SCCS/CIR/industry sources.
| Product Category | Typical Range | Max Reported | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shampoo | 3–8 | 15 | CIR/VCRP |
| Body Wash | 3–8 | 15 | CIR/VCRP |
| Facial Cleanser | 2–6 | 10 | CIR/VCRP |
Additional Ingredient Properties
10 property records from structured ingredient metadata.
acne
{"cas_number": "61789-40-0", "anti_acne_mechanism": "antibacterial", "comedogenicity_rating_0_to_5": "0-1", "acne_type_efficacy": "inflammatory", "sebum_reduction_pct_clinical": "0-5", "prescription_required_usa": "No", "otc_drug_monograph_category": "No", "max_otc_concentration_pct": "No limit", "japan_quasi_drug_anti_acne": "No", "korea_functional_cosmetic_acne": "No", "eu_cosmetic_restriction_a…
allergen_detail
{"eu_allergen_listed": "no", "allergen_class": "surfactant", "cross_reactivity_group": "amidoamine-group", "patch_test_frequency_pct": "3.0", "sensitization_rate": "moderate", "common_reaction_type": "contact-dermatitis", "ifra_restricted": "no", "source": "NACDG; IVDK; ESSCA"}
baby_pediatric
{"cas_number": "61789-40-0", "ingredient_class": "cleanser_baby", "pediatric_safety_rating": "acceptable", "minimum_age_months": "6", "neonatal_safe": "yes", "premature_infant_safe": "insufficient_data", "skin_barrier_maturity_consideration": "DEBATE: Allergen potential in AD patients; impurities (DMAPA) concern", "transepidermal_absorption_risk_pediatric": "low", "systemic_exposure_concern_pediat…
comedogenicity_detail
{"comedogenicity_rating": "0", "irritancy_rating": "1", "skin_type_suitability": "all,oily,combination,normal,acne-prone", "acne_safe": "yes", "source": "Amphoteric surfactant"}
concentration
{"min_concentration_pct": "2.0", "max_concentration_pct": "10.0", "typical_concentration_pct": "5.0", "product_type": "Facial Cleanser", "function_at_concentration": "Surfactant, gentle", "source": "CIR Safety Assessment"}
cost_pricing
{"cost_tier": "budget", "estimated_cost_per_kg_usd_low": "8", "estimated_cost_per_kg_usd_high": "15", "natural_premium_markup_pct": "20", "organic_certified_premium_pct": "40", "supply_chain_volatility": "low", "primary_source_region": "Global", "synthetic_vs_natural_cost_ratio": "1.5", "bulk_discount_threshold_kg": "500", "seasonal_price_variation": "low", "commodity_or_specialty": "commodity", "…
dermal_absorption
{"molecular_weight_da": "342.5", "log_p_value": "0.5", "skin_penetration_level": "stratum-corneum", "penetration_depth": "stratum corneum/epidermis", "absorption_pct": "6-12", "systemic_absorption": "minimal", "penetration_enhancer": "yes", "occlusion_effect": "no", "vehicle_dependent": "yes", "skin_barrier_effect": "weakens", "bioavailability_topical_pct": "4-10", "safety_margin_factor": "moderat…
emulsion_hlb
{"hlb_required_as_emulsifier": "yes", "emulsifier_type": "o_w", "critical_packing_parameter": "0.28-0.42", "emulsion_stabilization_mechanism": "electrostatic_steric", "co_emulsifier_pairs": "glyceryl_oleate,cetyl_alcohol", "optimal_oil_phase_pct": "8-22", "optimal_water_phase_pct": "78-92", "electrolyte_tolerance": "high", "pH_emulsion_stability_range": "3.0-10.5", "viscosity_building_contribution…
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB).
Regulatory Flags
potential-allergen
NOAEL Studies Summary
View details ->Public NOAEL study rows linked to Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB) by CAS number or substance name.
Studies
3
Lowest NOAEL
95 mg/kg bw/day
Highest NOAEL
1000 mg/kg bw/day
ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB) allowed in the EU?
Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB) EU regulatory status: restricted. Maximum allowed concentration: 3% active in leave-on products. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB) do in cosmetics?
Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB) functions as: Surfactant — cleansing; foam boosting; viscosity controlling; antistatic; hair conditioning. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 61789-40-0 (also 86438-79-1).
Compliance Tools
Check Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB) compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
Ingredient Decoder
Paste a full ingredient list for instant analysis
82 Allergen Checker
Check for EU declarable fragrance allergens
Substance Compliance
Check compliance across multiple jurisdictions
MoS Calculator
Calculate Margin of Safety using SCCS methodology
Heavy Metal Limits
Compare limits across jurisdictions
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