CAPB, Cocamidopropyl Betaine

Functional, Actives & Additives

Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Coconut-derived

Cocamidopropyl Betaine, known as CAPB, is a mild, amphoteric surfactant derived from coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine. Amphoteric means it can carry either a positive or negative charge depending on the pH of the formula,a flexibility that makes it exceptionally compatible with other surfactants and gives it both cleansing and conditioning properties in a single ingredient. It is one of the most widely used secondary surfactants in professional and artisan haircare formulation.

In our shampoo bar formulas, CAPB works alongside SCI and SMCT to create a balanced surfactant system that produces a rich, creamy, conditioning lather,the kind that cleans effectively while still leaving hair feeling soft and manageable rather than stripped.

How It Works

CAPB's amphoteric character allows it to interact constructively with both the anionic (negatively charged) surfactants like SCI and the cationic (positively charged) conditioning agents in the formula, reducing the overall irritation potential of the surfactant system while boosting lather volume and density. Its conditioning properties help counteract the potentially drying effect of the cleansing surfactants, contributing to the balanced, soft-but-clean feel that distinguishes a well-formulated shampoo bar from a basic one. It also acts as a foam booster and viscosity modifier in liquid formulations.

You can find CAPB in our haircare formulations.

For external use only. The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice.