Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB) – Safe, Natural, or Harmful??

Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB) Safety and Health Risks

Could your “natural” shampoo, conditioner, facial cleanser, body wash, baby shampoo, or bubble bath have toxic ingredients? If you suffer from eczema or dry, irritated eyes, check out this information about a common ingredient in “natural” and “organic” labeled products.

Ever see the words “coconut-based cleanser” on your skin care labels?  Sounds so natural and innocuous, doesn’t it?  It’s actually Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB).  It is used as a surfactant, thickener, and/or foaming agent in shampoos, bubble baths and the like.  It’s also used in conditioners because it creates anti-static properties.  You’ll find this chemical in many of “SLS-free” products or “tear-free” baby products.  CAPB is not supposed to irritate mucous membranes or cause skin irritation like a stronger detergent would.  The unfortunate truth is, it still does.

The Shocking Truth

Cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB), a commonly used ingredient in personal care products, is often found to be contaminated with dimethylaminopropylamine (DMAPA), amidoamine, or sodium monochloroacetate. These contaminants belong to the -amine group of chemicals, which can react with other substances in your products and give rise to a potentially hazardous class of chemicals known as nitrosamines. It is important to note that nitrosamines are predominantly recognized as carcinogenic compounds, posing potential health risks. Therefore, careful consideration should be given to the sourcing and quality control of CAPB to ensure the safety of personal care products.

The Deceptive Dangers of Betaine and Reasons for Concern

Cocamidopropyl Betaine – CAPB is a common trigger for eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, and contact dermatitis.  If you suffer from “allergy eyes” and don’t have any underlying sinus symptoms, CAPB may be your culprit.  We became acutely aware of the possible side effects of CAPB when a family member of one of our staff began to experience severe eye irritations.  Their eyes were chronically dry, irritated, and tended to “crust” during sleep.  They also developed very dry, painful cracks at the outer corners of their eyes, despite near constant application of moisturizer to the area.  They were diagnosed with blepharitis and told to wash their eyes with baby shampoo.  Guess what baby shampoo contains?  That’s right, Cocamidopropyl Betaine.  It wasn’t until they eliminated ALL products containing CAPB that they began to experience some relief.

Cocamidopropyl Betaine and Eye Health

Caring for you precious eye health is a strong consideration when dealing with Cocamidopropyl Betaine. Another disheartening discovery we made was that nearly every one of the eyelid cleansers or scrubs recommended for patients with eye problems also contained Cocamidopropyl Betaine.  Most eye care cleansing products contain Cocamidopropyl Betaine along with Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and plenty of parabens.

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For people experiencing painful dryness, cracking, and irritation of their ocular area, these chemicals are only compounding the problem.  No wonder they aren’t receiving any relief.  This is why we developed a gentle, non-toxic, completely all natural foaming eyelid wash.  Our natural eyelid cleanser removes the sticky build-up of dust and oily debris without stripping the protective layer of the skin and without contributing to further irritation.  You can find it here.

Cocamidopropyl Betaine is a Known Allergen

Cocamidopropyl Betaine has been extensively documented as a known contact allergen and a significant contributor to head, neck, scalp, and facial dermatitis, causing primary irritation.  If you are experiencing dermatitis, allergic breakouts, or eczema or psoriasis-like symptoms in these regions, it would be well worth your time to critically examine all personal care products you are currently using and to remove all that contain Cocamidopropyl Betaine or other harsh surfactants, such as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate.

Carefully Considering Your Skin and Your Long Term health

Consider how products containing these chemical are commonly used: cleansing lotions, contact lens cleaning solutions, face creams, deodorants, hair coloring kits, shampoo and conditioners, eye make-up removers, baby wipes, shaving gels, hair styling products and toothpastes.  Think about how shampoos, eye cleansers, and body washes run into your eyes, nose, and ears as they are used.  It’s not hard to understand how this can constantly irritate sensitive mucous membranes and skin. Eliminating products containing Cocamidopropyl Betaine can be a challenge, but the effort is truly worthwhile for finding relief from eye or skin allergies and irritation.

Combining Natural Origin With Heavy Refining Does Not Ensure Safety

Just because this chemical was once derived from coconuts (many processing levels ago) doesn’t make it a safe or natural ingredient. It’s important to note that even though it may have originated from coconuts, the extensive processing it undergoes can alter its properties and safety. In fact, you may come across various forms of this chemical in product labels, such as Tegobetaine L7, Cocoyl amide propyldimethyl glycine, coconut oil amidopropyl betaine, and N-cocamidopropyl-N, N-dimethlglycine hydroxide inner salt. These variants can have different characteristics and effects, highlighting the need for careful consideration when evaluating the safety and naturalness of ingredients.

We kindly request you to take a moment and reconsider the chemicals that you may be using in your skincare routine. It’s worth contemplating the potential impact of these chemicals on your skin and overall well-being. By being mindful of the ingredients and opting for more natural and organic alternatives, you can enhance the health and radiance of your skin in the long run. Your skin deserves the utmost care and attention, so let’s make informed choices for a healthier skincare routine.

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References

• Cocamidopropyl Betaine
• Allergic Contact Dermatitis From Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamidoamine, 3-(Dimethylamino) Propylamine, And Oleamidopropyl Dimethylamine: Co-Reactions or Cross-Reactions
• Allergy to Cocamidopropyl Betaine and Amidoamine in North America
• A Study of the Sensitization Rate To Cocamidopropyl Betaine in Patients Patch Tested in a University Hospital of Beijing

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Information Disclaimer: The following statements are for educational purposes only and have not been evaluated by the FDA. We encourage you to speak with your preferred medical advisor to determine if this information is right for you. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.