Sodium Coco Sulfate, SCS is the name in the INCI system, which lists chemical compounds used in the production of cosmetics. The substance belongs to the group of alkyl sulphates, active anionic surfactants. The word “surfactant” sounds aggressively, but there are such surface active agents as Sodium Coco Sulfate, whose effect is relatively strong without showing a significant aggressiveness to skin. From a chemical point of view, SCS is structurally classified to the group of fatty alcohol derivatives originating from coconut oil. To be more precise, it is a sodium salt of their sulphate. The global CAS number of the substance is 97375-27-4.
Sodium Coco Sulfate can be formed during a reaction between sulphur compounds such as sulphuric(VI) acid or sulphur(VI) oxide and fatty alcohols derived from natural coconut. Many fatty substance fractions are used, such as the myristic acid, palmitic acid, caprylic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid and linoleic acid. The next step is to neutralise the mixture. This makes SCS not irritating to skin, unlike for example SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) or SLES (Sodium Laureth Sulfate), which are applied similarly in cosmetics. This is why cosmetologists consider Sodium Coco Sulfate to be a natural SLS, which is also equally effective and less invasive to the skin compared to SLS. Since it contains many different natural ingredients, SCS may constitute an ingredient even in such formulations as irritation soothing creams and cosmetics for children, if it includes appropriate substances such as oleic and linoleic acids.
At temperatures above 30oC, Sodium Coco Sulfate takes the form of a clear liquid being colourless or slightly yellowish. Lower temperatures cause its tendency to crystallize, but reheating restores the original form including all properties. In washing chemicals it is used as a detergent, it shows extremely strong washing properties, and facilitates dissolving and the removal of dirt molecules. It shows strong foaming properties and it generates high foams with very good stability. As it is only partially resistant to hard water, it should often be used together with agents being more resistant to it. It is active both in acidic and in basic environments. The excellent wettability and capacity to produce emulsions makes Sodium Coco Sulfate applicable in such products as skin and hair care cosmetics. Since SCS is an anionic surfactant, it can be used to enrich formulations in combination with other anionic agents, but also with non-ionic and amphoteric surfactants. It meets the ISO 16128 requirements, which makes it a compound of 100% natural origin. It is also fully biodegradable within the meaning of the directive on cosmetics and detergents as well as according to Ecocert, an organisation involved in the certification of cosmetics and other products.
Sodium Coco Sulfate meets all prerequisites to be a perfect ingredient of both liquid and powdery formulations intended for washing and cleaning in households and institutions. Its properties make it also an excellent active compound in car cosmetics such as active washing foams. It is an oil-in-water (O/W) emulsifier, which means that it disperses oil drops in water and can thus be applied in creams and balsams. Such emulsions are incredibly lightweight and delicate and, once applied, leave the skin extremely smooth and moistruized without any fat film, plus they are recommended for all skin types, including sensitive skin. Sodium Coco Sulfate has an antistatic effect, so it can be applied in hair cosmetics to facilitate combing and prevent hair streaks from tangling. SCS can be found in shampoos, soaps, conditioners and various types of hair serums. Not being as aggressive to the skin and its lipid barrier as synthetic detergents, Sodium Coco Sulfate is also applicable in shaving cosmetics such as foams or creams. A great advantage of SCS, but also of all natural washing agents, is that the skin does not need to be additionally moistruized with other emolients. Another asset is that SCS perfectly thickens, so it does not require a high amount of salt, which dries up the skin.
