Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate

Disodium cocoyl glutamate is a mild amino-acid–derived anionic surfactant used in cleansers (commonly a few percent in finished formulas) and is generally less irritating than SLS/SLES in patch and use testing. However, as a primary cleanser surfactant it can still disrupt barrier lipids with frequent/long contact, and reactive or eczema-prone skin can sting or flare depending on overall formula, concentration, and contact time. Given real-world cumulative exposure from daily cleansing and the vulnerability of compromised skin, I rate it as gentle but not exceptionally inert. Safety Notes: In commercial products, disodium cocoyl glutamate is used at low levels (~0.1–1%) as a secondary/co-surfactant or mildness booster in facial cleansers, micellar/cleansing waters, shampoos, and body washes. Typical primary-surfactant use in rinse-off cleansers is often in the ~2–15% range (as supplied, depending on active matter and total surfactant system). High-strength consumer-available solid syndet bars and concentrated cleansing pastes/powders can reach ~20–30% as part of the surfactant base, with practical limits driven by solubility/processing and viscosity rather than specific regulatory concentration caps.