Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate (SCI)

About This Product

Sodium cocoyl isethionate, SCI with CAS number 61789-32-0 and the INCI name Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, is supplied as white flakes, needles, granules or powder, produced by esterifying coconut fatty acids with sodium isethionate. Its importance in formulation is as much physical as chemical. A syndet bar, a shampoo bar or any solid cleansing format needs a surfactant that is itself a crystalline solid with enough structure to be milled, plodded and stamped, and that holds together in use without dissolving away. Almost all high-performing mild surfactants are liquids or pastes and cannot do this; SCI is a waxy crystalline solid and is the backbone of essentially every syndet bar on the market. Its chemistry is favourable at the same time: as an ester rather than the salt of a fatty acid it works at neutral or mildly acidic pH instead of requiring the alkalinity soap depends on, and it tolerates hard water without forming the insoluble calcium scum soap leaves behind. Grade selection is largely about particle form and free fatty acid content, which govern processability and bar feel. It is used in syndet and shampoo bars, solid cleansing formats, facial cleansers, baby washes and in liquid body washes as a mildness modifier. Bio Green Chem supplies SCI to specification on active matter, free fatty acid, sodium isethionate, moisture, pH, particle form and colour.