“Cocamine” refers to amines of coconut oil (Cocos nucifera oil). Amines are generally organic compounds which are derived from ammonia and in which one, two or all three hydrogen atoms of the ammonia have been substituted by alkyl or aryl groups. Oxides are compounds generally obtained by conversion with oxygen or other oxidants.

Function(s) of this ingredient in cosmetic products

ANTISTATIC

Reduces electrostatic charges (eg of the hair)

CLEANSING

Cleans skin, hair or teeth

HAIR CONDITIONING

Leaves the hair easy to comb, supple, soft and shiny and / or imparts volume

SURFACTANT – CLEANSING

Surface-active agent to clean skin, hair and / or teeth

SURFACTANT – FOAM BOOSTING

Improves foam quality by increasing volume, structure and / or durability

SURFACTANT – HYDROTROPE

Enhances the solubility of substances in water

Background information on use in cosmetics

Surfactants are so-called detergent substances and have a major significance in cosmetics for the cleansing of the skin and hair. Surfactants are substances which, based on their molecular structure, are able to reduce the surface tension of a liquid. In this way it is possible that two actually not mixable substances, such as oil and water, can be finely mixed. Because of their properties, surfactants have manifold uses in cosmetics: they can cleanse, produce foam and act as emulsifiers and mix substances with one another. In shampoos, shower gels and soaps, surfactants are, for instance, used to wash fat and soil particles with water off from the body. Surfactants are also used in toothpaste. Here they promote during tooth cleaning the rapid and full dissolution and distribution of the paste in the mouth. The surfactants used in cosmetic products are primarily produced synthetically on the basis of vegetable raw materials. Surfactants are often used in combination to equally meet all desired requirements – like dissolution of soil and formation of foam in combination with a good skin tolerance – in the best possible manner. Through a skilled combination of a surfactant – viewed on its own – with unfavourable skin tolerance but a very good soil removal property with a very mild, skin protecting surfactant altogether a product with good cleansing properties and the same good skin tolerances is obtained.