Description

What is Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate?

Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate (CAS 12765-39-8,abbreviated SMCT) is a mild anionic surfactant made by reacting coconut fatty acids with taurine, an amino sulfonic acid. explains everything it is famous for: the fatty chain cleans, and the sulfonate head group makes it unusually tolerant of hard water, because it does not form the insoluble calcium and magnesium soaps that dull the lather of ordinary soap-based or sulfate systems.

In practice that means dense, fine, creamy foam that keeps its volume even in the presence of sebum and oil, a clean rinse with no tight or squeaky after-feel, and irritation potential low enough for sensitive skin, baby products and around-the-eye cleansing. It is compatible with anionic, non-ionic, cationic and amphoteric surfactants, so it works as either the primary surfactant or the mildness-boosting co-surfactant in a sulfate-free system.

We supply the grade that suits your process: powder (95 % active) for solid, powder and paste formats, and liquid (30 %) for cold-process liquid cleansing. Both are sulfate-free, readily biodegradable and derived from coconut oil and taurine.

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Key Benefits

• Outstanding hard-water resistance — the sulfonate head group resists calcium and magnesium ions, so lather and cleansing performance stay consistent even in hard-water regions and in high-sebum systems.
• Exceptional mildness — very low irritation to skin and eyes, making it suitable for sensitive skin, baby care, daily-use cleansers and eye-area products.
• Dense, fine, creamy foam — rich lather with a stable structure that survives oil and sebum, so the foam quality stays good in makeup removers and oily-skin cleansers.
• Cleans thoroughly without stripping — removes dirt, excess oil and impurities while leaving skin soft and comfortable rather than tight, and hair smooth and easy to manage.
• Rinses clean and fast — no soapy residue or film, which is why it is widely used in foaming facial washes and toothpastes.
• Sulfate-free, biodegradable and easy to pair — works with anionic, non-ionic, cationic and amphoteric surfactants.

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FAQ

• What is Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate used for?

As a mild primary or co-surfactant in sulfate-free cleansing products: facial cleansers, shampoo, body wash and shower gel, baby bath, hand wash, shaving foam and toothpaste. It is chosen for its combination of strong cleaning, dense creamy foam and very low irritation.

• Is it a sulfate? Can it replace SLES or sodium lauryl sulfate?

It is not a sulfate — it is a sulfonate derived from coconut fatty acids and taurine. It can replace part or all of the SLES or SLS in a formula, and it tolerates hard water better than many sulfate-free alternatives, so you can drop the sulfate claim without losing lather or cleansing power.

• Why is hard-water resistance important?

In hard water, soap and some surfactants form insoluble calcium and magnesium soaps that kill lather, leave a film and leave skin feeling tight. The sulfonate structure resists these ions, so foam volume, cleansing efficiency and after-feel stay consistent regardless of the water hardness in the consumer’s region.

• How much should I use, and which grade?

Typically 1 %–30 %, most often 3 %–25 %. Use the 95 % powder for solid, powder and paste formats, and the 30 % liquid for cold-process liquids and easier handling. Add to the aqueous phase and set final pH and viscosity at the end of the formula.