100% natural cosmetics exist only if they are hand-made from biologically pure plant materials. All the rest necessarily have some chemical element in their composition. The quality of cosmetics lies in the extent to which the substances included in it are harmless to he alth. Recently, many manufacturers of hygiene products are increasingly using cocamidopropyl betaine. What properties are not attributed to this ingredient - from healing wounds to causing cancer! Let's try to figure it out.
What is Cocamidopropyl Betaine
A substance with such a tricky name is a liquid mass obtained from coconut oil, more precisely, from its fatty acids (lauric, palmitic, myristic and others), and is a derivative of simpler substances - cocamide and glycine betaine. Chemical and physical characteristics of Cocamidopropyl Betaine:
- amphoteric substance, that is, under some conditions it can act as an acid, and under others - as an alkali;
- color - from yellow to milky white;
- almost no smell;
- pH 5.5, but can be up to 4.5;
- surface-active substance (surfactant) - concentrates on the surface of liquid media and reduces surface tension;
- acidity 6 in 10% solution;
- easy to combine with other surfactants, can act as a base
Useful properties
Cocamidopropyl Betaine is designed to gently cleanse hair and skin. Its molecules easily stick together with exfoliating particles of the scalp and body, with fatty components and tiny fragments of dirt, and then simply washed off with water. Together with anionic ingredients, the surfactant acts as a thickener and improves foaming. Foam with this component becomes thicker and lasts longer. For hair, cocamidopropyl betaine is not only an excellent cleaner, but also a conditioner. It provides ease of combing, prevents electrification, and when used with other additives of the surfactant category, reduces their irritating effect on the skin.
Where applicable
The most used Cocamidopropyl Betaine is in cosmetics. This element has also found application in medicine - as a thickener for ointments. This ingredient is found in the following products:
- shampoos;
- body gels;
- foaming bath products;
- liquid hand soap;
- children's skin cleansing products;
- conditioners and hair balms;
- toothpastes, gels,powders;
- lotions;
- creams and gels for washing.
As an additive used in detergents, laundry and cleaning products; in the production of solid bar soap.
Usually cocamidopropyl betaine in the main substance is contained in a volume of 47-48%, but there is also a minimum amount of about 2%. It can be used in detergents as the only surface-active ingredient, or it can act as an additive to other surfactants to soften their action and improve product performance.
Negative Consequences
To date, there is no unequivocal opinion on whether Cocamidopropyl Betaine is harmful. Like any other chemical, this ingredient can cause local skin irritation, which manifests itself in redness, peeling, increased itching, rashes. But such reactions are observed only in people with allergies, or in those whose body does not perceive this component well. Everyone else uses shampoos, conditioners, balms and other products that contain Cocamidopropyl Betaine without any problems.
As evidence of the safety and non-toxicity of this ingredient, the fact that it is part of hygiene products for children can act. But when it gets into the eyes, cocamidopropyl is always irritating. Therefore, in such cases, it is imperative to flush the organs of vision with plenty of clean water until the unpleasant symptoms disappear (burning,tearing). Each detergent must be used for its intended purpose. Shampoos, balms, washing powders are not intended for ingestion. That is why it is not at all surprising that Cocamidopropyl Betaine is quite toxic when ingested orally. In rats, a fatal dose is above 5 g per 1 kg of animal body weight. It is believed that this surfactant has a negative effect on the liver and thyroid gland. However, no fundamental research has been done.
Is there a connection with the formation of malignant tumors
Some researchers claim that Cocamidopropyl Betaine causes cancer. As evidence, experiments on mice are given. The International Cancer Society warns that this ingredient, in combination with other components of the cosmetic product, can form nitrosamines. These are very dangerous and extremely toxic carcinogens that attack the liver and cause a number of disease states, including malignant tumors. This statement has not yet been professionally verified. The American organization FDA (federal committee that checks the safety of food and drugs) recognized Cocamidopropyl Betaine as a chemical element that does not harm, taking into account its use in cosmetics as part of detergents. The exception is creams and ointments with this drug, which are applied for a long time and involve penetration into the subcutaneous tissue.
Dental applications
Cocamidopropyl Betaine is used indentistry not only as an ingredient in toothpastes and powders. Scientists have developed a fundamentally new tool designed to clean the oral cavity of patients with baguettes and other fixed structures on their teeth. It is a liquid substance that, when sprayed in the mouth, turns into a soft foam that perfectly cleanses tooth enamel and is easily washed off with water. The novelty also includes cocamidopropyl betaine.
