At ORY®, we believe you should know what’s in your products and why. This page lists the published research behind what we say about cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB). Each section starts with our claim, then tells you how well the research supports it, then lists the sources so you can read them yourself.
How to read this page Supported — backed by peer-reviewed research or official safety reviews. Supported, with caveats — the research points this way, but mostly from laboratory or animal studies, or at different strengths than ORY® uses. Limited evidence — little or no published research yet. We say so openly. |
1. General Description and Role
Claim: Cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB) is a coconut-derived amphoteric surfactant, meaning it carries both a positive and a negative charge. In ORY® cleansers and shampoos, it adds creamy foam, helps thicken the formula, and makes the overall cleanser feel milder. |
Verification: Supported. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel concluded that CAPB is safe in cosmetics when formulated to be non-sensitizing, which may be based on a quantitative risk assessment. The concern is two manufacturing impurities, amidoamine and DMAPA.
Citations:
- Burnett, C. L., et al. (2012). Final report of the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel on the safety assessment of cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB). International Journal of Toxicology, 31(4 Suppl), 77S–111S. https://doi.org/10.1177/1091581812447202
- What it shows: CIR safety assessment of CAPB.
- Burnett, C. L., et al. (2012). Final report of the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel on the safety assessment of cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB). International Journal of Toxicology, 31(4 Suppl), 77S–111S. https://doi.org/10.1177/1091581812447202
2. Composition and Production
Claim: CAPB is made by reacting coconut fatty acids with dimethylaminopropylamine (DMAPA) and then with sodium chloroacetate. It is supplied as about a 30% solution in water. |
Verification: Supported. Residual amidoamine and DMAPA are the main causes of CAPB allergy, so ORY® requires low-impurity grades with these limits on the certificate of analysis.
Citations:
- Burnett, C. L., et al. (2012). Final report of the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel on the safety assessment of cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB). International Journal of Toxicology, 31(4 Suppl), 77S–111S. https://doi.org/10.1177/1091581812447202
- What it shows: Describes manufacture and impurities.
- Jacob, S. E., & Amini, S. (2008). Cocamidopropyl betaine. Dermatitis, 19(3), 157–160. https://doi.org/10.2310/6620.2008.06043
- What it shows: Review of CAPB allergy and its causes.
- Burnett, C. L., et al. (2012). Final report of the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel on the safety assessment of cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB). International Journal of Toxicology, 31(4 Suppl), 77S–111S. https://doi.org/10.1177/1091581812447202
3. Skin Type Suitability
Claim: CAPB suits all skin types in rinse-off cleansers. |
Verification: Supported, with caveats. CAPB is widely used in gentle cleansers, but it was named the American Contact Dermatitis Society’s Allergen of the Year in 2004. People who have reacted to shampoos or cleansers should patch test.
Citations:
- Jacob, S. E., & Amini, S. (2008). Cocamidopropyl betaine. Dermatitis, 19(3), 157–160. https://doi.org/10.2310/6620.2008.06043
- What it shows: Review of CAPB allergy.
- Burnett, C. L., et al. (2012). Final report of the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel on the safety assessment of cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB). International Journal of Toxicology, 31(4 Suppl), 77S–111S. https://doi.org/10.1177/1091581812447202
- What it shows: Safety conclusion.
- Jacob, S. E., & Amini, S. (2008). Cocamidopropyl betaine. Dermatitis, 19(3), 157–160. https://doi.org/10.2310/6620.2008.06043
4. Hair and Scalp Suitability
Claim: In haircare, CAPB is a standard secondary surfactant in gentle and sulfate-free shampoos. |
Verification: Supported. ORY® haircare products are not intended to treat dandruff or scalp conditions.
Citations:
- Burnett, C. L., et al. (2012). Final report of the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel on the safety assessment of cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB). International Journal of Toxicology, 31(4 Suppl), 77S–111S. https://doi.org/10.1177/1091581812447202
- What it shows: Reported uses.
- Burnett, C. L., et al. (2012). Final report of the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel on the safety assessment of cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB). International Journal of Toxicology, 31(4 Suppl), 77S–111S. https://doi.org/10.1177/1091581812447202
5. Benefits
Claim: CAPB helps cleansers foam, cleanse gently, and feel milder on skin and scalp. |
Verification: Supported. Surfactant research shows that blending milder surfactants such as amphoterics with stronger ones can reduce a cleanser’s effect on the skin barrier. “Tear-free” claims apply only to finished products that have been tested for eye mildness.
Citations:
- Ananthapadmanabhan, K. P., Moore, D. J., Subramanyan, K., Misra, M., & Meyer, F. (2004). Cleansing without compromise: The impact of cleansers on the skin barrier and the technology of mild cleansing. Dermatologic Therapy, 17(Suppl 1), 16–25. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1396-0296.2004.04S1002.x
- What it shows: Review of mild cleansing technology.
- Ananthapadmanabhan, K. P., Moore, D. J., Subramanyan, K., Misra, M., & Meyer, F. (2004). Cleansing without compromise: The impact of cleansers on the skin barrier and the technology of mild cleansing. Dermatologic Therapy, 17(Suppl 1), 16–25. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1396-0296.2004.04S1002.x
6. Use Across ORY® Product Lines
Claim: CAPB is used in ORY® Skincare, Haircare, and Cosmetics cleansers, and in liquid soaps and syndet and shampoo bars. |
Verification: Supported. CAPB is not used in cold-process soap.
| Product line | Typical level | How ORY® uses it |
| Skincare | 3–10% (as supplied) | Facial cleansers, body washes, and micellar waters. |
| Haircare | 5–15% | Gentle and sulfate-free shampoos and co-washes. |
| Handmade Soap line | 5–20% | Liquid soaps and syndet and shampoo bars (not cold-process soap). |
| Cosmetics | 1–5% | Makeup-removing cleansers, micellar waters, and brush cleansers. |
Citations:
- Burnett, C. L., et al. (2012). Final report of the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel on the safety assessment of cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB). International Journal of Toxicology, 31(4 Suppl), 77S–111S. https://doi.org/10.1177/1091581812447202
- What it shows: Reported uses.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 21 CFR 701.20 — Definition of “soap” (only true soap, made mainly of alkali salts of fatty acids and sold only as soap, is exempt from cosmetic rules). https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-G/part-701/subpart-B/section-701.20
- What it shows: FDA definition of soap; other bars are cosmetics.
- Burnett, C. L., et al. (2012). Final report of the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel on the safety assessment of cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB). International Journal of Toxicology, 31(4 Suppl), 77S–111S. https://doi.org/10.1177/1091581812447202
7. Pros
Claim: A mild foam booster that improves the feel of cleansers, with a CIR safety conclusion. |
Verification: Supported. A widely used formulation workhorse.
Citations:
- Burnett, C. L., et al. (2012). Final report of the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel on the safety assessment of cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB). International Journal of Toxicology, 31(4 Suppl), 77S–111S. https://doi.org/10.1177/1091581812447202
- What it shows: Safety conclusion.
- Ananthapadmanabhan, K. P., Moore, D. J., Subramanyan, K., Misra, M., & Meyer, F. (2004). Cleansing without compromise: The impact of cleansers on the skin barrier and the technology of mild cleansing. Dermatologic Therapy, 17(Suppl 1), 16–25. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1396-0296.2004.04S1002.x
- What it shows: Mild cleansing.
- Burnett, C. L., et al. (2012). Final report of the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel on the safety assessment of cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB). International Journal of Toxicology, 31(4 Suppl), 77S–111S. https://doi.org/10.1177/1091581812447202
8. Cons
Claim: CAPB can cause allergy, mostly from impurities, and is not a stand-alone cleanser. |
Verification: Supported. We list these limits so you have the full picture:
- Allergy. Allergen of the Year 2004; linked mainly to amidoamine and DMAPA.
- Needs a partner. Works best with a primary surfactant.
- Natural standards. Accepted by some, but not all.
Citations:
- Jacob, S. E., & Amini, S. (2008). Cocamidopropyl betaine. Dermatitis, 19(3), 157–160. https://doi.org/10.2310/6620.2008.06043
- What it shows: Allergy.
- Jacob, S. E., & Amini, S. (2008). Cocamidopropyl betaine. Dermatitis, 19(3), 157–160. https://doi.org/10.2310/6620.2008.06043
9. Safety Notes
Claim: Patch test before use; for external use only. |
Verification: Supported. Follow these precautions:
- Patch test any new product on a small area for 24–48 hours before full use.
- If you have reacted to shampoos or body washes before, patch test carefully.
- Rinse cleansers off thoroughly. Avoid getting cleansers in the eyes; if contact occurs, rinse with water.
- Stop use if redness, burning, itching, or rash occurs, and talk to a healthcare provider.
- For external use only. Avoid the eyes unless the product is made for the eye area.
- If you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are buying for a child, ask a healthcare provider before use.
Citations:
- Jacob, S. E., & Amini, S. (2008). Cocamidopropyl betaine. Dermatitis, 19(3), 157–160. https://doi.org/10.2310/6620.2008.06043
- What it shows: Allergy.
- Burnett, C. L., et al. (2012). Final report of the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel on the safety assessment of cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB). International Journal of Toxicology, 31(4 Suppl), 77S–111S. https://doi.org/10.1177/1091581812447202
- What it shows: Safety conclusion.
- Jacob, S. E., & Amini, S. (2008). Cocamidopropyl betaine. Dermatitis, 19(3), 157–160. https://doi.org/10.2310/6620.2008.06043
10. Product-line notes
- ORY® Skincare: For external use only. Not for deep or puncture wounds, animal bites, or serious burns.
- ORY® Haircare: Designed for the look and feel of hair and scalp comfort. Not intended to treat dandruff or scalp conditions, or to promote hair growth or prevent hair loss.
- ORY® Handmade Soap line: This ingredient is not used in cold-process soap. Syndet, lotion, shampoo, and conditioner bars that contain it are cosmetics under FDA rules, not soap, and list all of their ingredients. Not intended to treat eczema or any skin condition.
- ORY® Cosmetics: Do not share applicators, and replace any product that changes color, smell, or texture.
11. References
Peer-reviewed research
- Ananthapadmanabhan, K. P., Moore, D. J., Subramanyan, K., Misra, M., & Meyer, F. (2004). Cleansing without compromise: The impact of cleansers on the skin barrier and the technology of mild cleansing. Dermatologic Therapy, 17(Suppl 1), 16–25. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1396-0296.2004.04S1002.x
- Burnett, C. L., et al. (2012). Final report of the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel on the safety assessment of cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB). International Journal of Toxicology, 31(4 Suppl), 77S–111S. https://doi.org/10.1177/1091581812447202
- Jacob, S. E., & Amini, S. (2008). Cocamidopropyl betaine. Dermatitis, 19(3), 157–160. https://doi.org/10.2310/6620.2008.06043
Government and regulatory sources
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 21 CFR 701.20 — Definition of “soap” (only true soap, made mainly of alkali salts of fatty acids and sold only as soap, is exempt from cosmetic rules). https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-G/part-701/subpart-B/section-701.20
