Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate

Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate is a mild anionic surfactant used in cleansers (often ~5–20% in syndet bars or lower in liquid formulas) and is generally less irritating than sulfate surfactants, but it can still disrupt the skin barrier and sting, especially on compromised/eczema-prone skin. Patch testing and real-world use show occasional irritation or dryness in reactive individuals, particularly with frequent cleansing or in combination with other irritants in a routine. Given its surfactant nature and cumulative barrier impact, I score it as mild rather than “gentle” for highly sensitive populations. Safety Notes: In commercial rinse-off products, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate (SCI) can appear at very low levels (~0.1–1%) as a secondary co-surfactant/foam booster in liquid cleansers and body washes. Most mainstream syndet bars and gentle facial cleansers use mid-range levels (commonly ~5–30% active SCI, depending on whether the raw material is noodles/powder or pre-diluted blends). High-strength consumer-available syndet bars and concentrated solid shampoo/cleansing bars can reach ~50–75% SCI (often in anhydrous/low-water formats), while it is uncommon in leave-on products beyond trace levels due to its primary role as a surfactant.