SODIUM COCOYL ISETHIONATE PELLETS

Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate (SCI) is a gentle surfactant derived from coconut oil. It’s commonly used in personal care products like shampoos, facial cleansers, and bar soaps. Here’s a breakdown of its uses and benefits:

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✅ Uses of Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate

1. Cleansing Agent

   • Main ingredient in cleansing bars, facial washes, body washes, and shampoos.

2. Foaming Agent

   • Helps products create a rich, creamy lather.

3. Mild Surfactant

   • Replaces harsher surfactants like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).

4. Solid Cleanser Formulations

   • Often used in syndet bars (“synthetic detergent” bars) instead of traditional soap.

5. Baby Products

   • Used in gentle formulations for infants and sensitive skin.

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Benefits of Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate

1. Gentle on Skin

   • Non-irritating, even for sensitive or dry skin types.

2. Non-Stripping

   • Cleans without removing natural oils from the skin or hair.

3. Biodegradable

   • Environmentally friendly and eco-conscious.

4. Derived from Coconut Oil

   • Considered more natural and plant-based.

5. Improves Skin Feel

   • Leaves a soft, silky feel after washing.

6. Compatible with Hard Water

   • Lathers well even in hard water, unlike true soap.

7. Mild pH

   • Typically formulated at a skin-friendly pH (around 5.5–6.5).

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Common Products with SCI

• Facial cleansing bars

• Shampoo bars

• Shaving bars

• Cream cleansers

• Baby washes

You’re in for a fun (and super useful) dive into the world of Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate ✨ Let’s break this into two parts for you:

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PART 1: Formulating with Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate (SCI)

Key Info for DIY Projects

• Form: Comes as powder, granules, or noodles/flakes.

• Usage Rate: Typically 10–60% of your total formulation depending on product type.

• Melting Point: Doesn’t melt easily – best dispersed in liquids or softened with other surfactants/binders (like stearic acid or glycerin).

• pH: Naturally acidic – great for mild formulations.

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Basic Example – Gentle Shampoo Bar (Approx. 100g)

Ingredients:

• 40% SCI (40g)

• 20% Cocoa Butter or Shea Butter (20g)

• 10% Coconut Oil (10g)

• 10% BTMS or Cetyl Alcohol (conditioning agents) (10g)

• 15% Water or Hydrosol (15g)

• 5% Additives (panthenol, essential oils, preservative) (5g)

Steps:

1. Melt oils, butters, and BTMS/cetyl alcohol in a double boiler.

2. Add SCI slowly, mix until it’s paste-like (you may need to press or blend it).

3. Add water/hydrosol and mix well.

4. Fold in any actives, essential oils, or preservatives when slightly cool.

5. Mold into bar form and allow to cure/dry.

✅ Optional: Use clays, herbal powders, or colorants for added benefits or aesthetics.

Let’s hook you up with both — a face cleanser bar and a body wash version using Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate (SCI). These are gentle, skin-friendly, and fun to make. I’ll give you beginner-friendly versions, and you can always tweak them based on your skin type or add fancy actives later.

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FACE CLEANSER BAR WITH SCI (approx. 100g)

✨ Great for: Normal to Dry or Sensitive Skin

Ingredients:

• 40% Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate (SCI) – 40g

• 15% Kaolin Clay – 15g (gentle detox, helps with grip/firmness)

• 15% Shea Butter or Mango Butter – 15g

• 10% Cetyl Alcohol or Stearic Acid – 10g (adds creaminess/hardness)

• 10% Rose Water or Distilled Water – 10g

• 5% Glycerin or Aloe Vera Juice – 5g

• 5% Additives (Panthenol, Vitamin E, Preservative, Essential Oils) – 5g

Optional Boosts:

• For oily/acne-prone skin: add 1–2% activated charcoal or swap kaolin for green clay

• For dry skin: add a little colloidal oatmeal or jojoba oil

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How to Make:

1. Melt the butter + cetyl alcohol/stearic acid in a double boiler.

2. Slowly add in SCI, stirring or mashing with a spatula (it’ll look like a paste).

3. Add glycerin and rose water; mix until combined.

4. Once slightly cooled (below 40°C), add actives and essential oils.

5. Press into molds and let dry/harden for 24–48 hours.

✅ Use a mold that fits your palm! These bars last long and feel silky on the skin.

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GENTLE BODY WASH WITH SCI (Creamy Liquid Version)

✨ Great for: All skin types — super creamy and non-stripping

Ingredients (for ~200ml):

• 15% SCI (powdered or paste form) – 30g

• 10% Cocamidopropyl Betaine – 20g (boosts foam, adds mildness)

• 5% Vegetable Glycerin – 10g

• 5% Carrier Oil (Sweet Almond, Jojoba, etc.) – 10g

• 58% Distilled Water or Floral Hydrosol – 116g

• 5% Additives + Preservative + Fragrance – 10g

• Optional: 2% Xanthan Gum pre-blended with glycerin for thickening

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How to Make:

1. Heat water phase (water + glycerin) to ~70°C.

2. In a separate beaker, disperse SCI with cocamidopropyl betaine (gently heat if needed).

3. Combine both phases and stir gently (don’t whip or you’ll get too many bubbles).

4. Add oils, fragrance/essential oils, and preservative below 40°C.

5. Adjust pH to ~5.5 (if needed) and bottle it!

✅ You can also thicken with xanthan gum, guar gum, or Crothix.