Cocoamidopropylamine Oxide

Cocoamidopropylamine oxide (CAPA) is a zwitterionic surfactant derived from coconut oil. It is a versatile surfactant that is used in a variety of personal care and industrial products.

Structure and properties

CAPA has the following chemical structure:

CH3(CH2)11N+CH3COO-

It is a white, waxy solid at room temperature and is soluble in water and organic solvents. CAPA is a zwitterionic surfactant, which means that it has both a positive and a negative charge.

Properties:

• Mildness: CAPA is a mild surfactant, which makes it suitable for use on sensitive skin.
• Foam boosting: CAPA is a good foam booster, which makes it useful in shampoos and other products that require a lot of foam.
• Skin conditioning: CAPA has been shown to be mildly skin conditioning. This is because it can help to reduce the evaporation of water from the skin.
• Detergent activity: CAPA is a good detergent, which means that it is effective at removing dirt, oil, and other contaminants.

Applications:

CAPA is used in a variety of personal care and industrial products, including:

• Shampoos: CAPA helps to clean the hair and scalp without being too harsh. It also helps to boost foam and provide mild conditioning.
• Conditioners: CAPA helps to distribute the conditioner evenly throughout the hair and helps to reduce frizz.
• Body washes: CAPA helps to clean the body without being too drying.
• Facial cleansers: CAPA can be used in facial cleansers to help remove dirt, oil, and makeup without being too harsh.
• Laundry detergents: CAPA is used in laundry detergents to help remove dirt, oil, and other contaminants from clothes.
• Industrial cleaners: CAPA is used in some industrial cleaners to help remove dirt, grease, and other contaminants.

Safety:

CAPA is generally considered to be safe for human use. However, it is important to avoid getting it in the eyes, as this can cause irritation.