Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate Good Cleansing Agent No known benefits Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate at a glance Coconut-derived cleansing agent regarded as compatible with sensitive skin Known to mitigate disruption of skin’s barrier Produces gentle foaming action Deemed safe by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate description Sodium cocoyl isethionate is a mild soap-free cleansing agent known for its ability to mitigate disruption of skin’s barrier. It is derived from coconut and is regarded as compatible with sensitive skin. It’s an anionic surfactant, meaning a cleansing agent with a negative instead of a positive charge. Anionic surfactants are the most common type due to their ability to lift and suspend dirt, oil, and debris, allowing them to be washed away. Suppliers of this ingredient tout its gentle foaming action as a desirable quality for consumers, even though the foam itself has little cleansing ability. In addition to skin care formulations, sodium cocoyl isethionate is a popular ingredient in hair products. Sodium cocoyl isethionate has been deemed safe by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel. Their report surveyed products containing up to 49.4% in rinse-off formulas and 17% for leave-on products. Sodium cocoyl isethionate is a powder in its raw material form. Related ingredients: Surfactant