Description

What is Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate?

Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate (INCI: Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate; CAS 301341-58-2) is a mild, short-chain amino-acid anionic surfactant in the acyl glycinate family. It is produced by neutralizing the condensation product of glycine, the simplest amino acid, with coconut fatty acids using potassium hydroxide, and is supplied as a high-activity white powder (95%) or a clear aqueous liquid (30%). The potassium salt and short glycine backbone give the ingredient outstanding water solubility and yield completely transparent solutions, while generating rich, elastic, stable foam under neutral to alkaline conditions. Highly biodegradable and gentle on the skin, it removes sebum and impurities without tightness or dryness, making it the surfactant of choice for crystal-clear cleansers and premium rinse-off products.

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Key Benefits

• Highly soluble and transparent: dissolves rapidly and completely in water, enabling crystal-clear gels and liquids without haze.
• Rich, elastic foam: produces abundant, creamy, resilient lather with good volume from neutral to alkaline pH, and improves the foam quality of fatty-acid soap systems.
• Mild and low-irritation: among the gentlest anionics; skin-compatible, it protects the barrier and leaves a fresh, supple, non-tight feel.
• Hard-water resistant: maintains foam and detergency under hard-water conditions.
• Soap-compatible booster: pairs effectively with fatty-acid salts to reduce post-wash tightness and upgrade lather.
• Natural and biodegradable: built from glycine and coconut fatty acids, with strong biodegradability and a green profile.
• Two convenient forms: powder (95%) for flexible dosing and solid or soap combinations; liquid (30%) for immediate, cold-processable use.

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Applications

• Transparent facial care: clear cleansing gels, see-through foaming washes, pump facial cleansers and micellar-style products.
• Foaming cleansers: foam creams, mousse cleansers and aerosol or non-aerosol foams with dense, stable lather.
• Hair care: mild and damaged-hair shampoos, clear shampoos, co-washes and shaving products that glide smoothly.
• Body and baby care: shower gels, body washes, bubble baths, infant washes and sensitive-skin products.
• Soap-based and solid formats: syndet bars, soft soaps, combined soap and amino-acid formulas and solid cleansers.

Typical use level: 5–30% in rinse-off products; the liquid grade is easy to incorporate, while the powder suits high-activity and solid systems.

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FAQ

Q1: Why does it produce transparent products? A1: Its potassium salt and short glycine chain give very high water solubility, so the finished solution stays crystal clear rather than hazy — ideal for transparent cleansers and gels.

Q2: How does it compare with sodium cocoyl glycinate? A2: The potassium form is more soluble and gives clearer solutions, making it preferred for transparent formulations while retaining the same mild, high-foam profile.

Q3: Can it be combined with soap? A3: Yes — it is highly compatible with fatty-acid salts, improving their foam and reducing the tight, dry feel after washing.