Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate

Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate is an amino acid–based anionic surfactant used primarily in cleansers (often a few percent up to ~10% in finished formulas) and is generally milder than classic sulfates, with lower sting and barrier disruption in comparative testing. However, as a true cleansing surfactant it can still provoke dryness, stinging, or eczema flares with frequent use, contact time, or in compromised skin, so it is best classified as gentle rather than very gentle for highly reactive patients. Safety Notes: In commercial products, sodium cocoyl glycinate appears at very low levels (~0.2–1%) as a secondary/co-surfactant in mild facial cleansers, micellar/low-foam cleansers, and sulfate-free shampoo/body wash systems where other surfactants carry most of the detergency. Typical rinse-off cleansers more commonly use it around a few percent active, while high-foaming “amino acid cleanser” bars, powders, and concentrated paste/cream cleansers sold OTC can reach very high total surfactant loads, with sodium cocoyl glycinate observed up to ~20–25% in the surfactant blend. It is predominantly a rinse-off ingredient; leave-on usage is uncommon and generally kept low due to irritation potential and residue/feel constraints.