Synthetic Ingredients - Syndet

Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate (SLSa): The Bubbly Yet Gentle Cleanser

Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate (SLSa) is a mild, sulfate-free surfactant that delivers big, fluffy bubbles and deep cleansing power without the harshness of traditional sulfates. Although its name sounds similar to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), SLSa is much gentler and derived from natural sources like coconut and palm oils. It’s an excellent foaming agent that helps shampoo bars cleanse effectively while remaining mild on the scalp and hair.

In shampoo bars, SLSa boosts lather and helps remove excess oil, dirt, and product buildup, making it perfect for all hair types, especially those needing a deeper clean. Unlike harsher detergents, it doesn’t cause excessive dryness or irritation, making it a great choice for sensitive scalps and color-treated hair.

Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate: The Silky-Soft, Moisturizing Cleanser

Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate is an exceptionally mild, sulfate-free surfactant derived from coconut oil and glutamic acid, an amino acid found in plants and the human body. It’s known for its skin-friendly, moisturizing properties, making it an excellent choice for sensitive scalps, baby shampoos, and gentle hair care formulations.

In shampoo bars, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate provides a light, silky lather that cleanses without stripping moisture or disrupting the scalp’s natural balance. It’s a pH-balanced surfactant, making it ideal for dry, curly, color-treated, or damaged hair. It’s also non-comedogenic and non-irritating, making it a top pick for gentle facial cleansers and scalp-friendly shampoo bars.

Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB): The Versatile, Foam-Boosting Cleanser

Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB) is a gentle, amphoteric surfactant derived from coconut oil. It’s widely loved for its ability to boost foam, enhance cleansing, and improve the mildness of other surfactants, making it a go-to ingredient in shampoo bars, body washes, and facial cleansers. CAPB is known for adding richness to lather while helping to condition the hair and scalp, leaving hair feeling soft and manageable.

In shampoo bars, CAPB works as both a cleanser and a co-surfactant, helping to reduce irritation from stronger surfactants like SLSa while maintaining an effective cleanse. It also has antistatic and conditioning properties, which make it great for taming frizz and improving hair texture. It’s suitable for all hair types, including dry, curly, and color-treated hair, as it cleanses without excessive stripping.

BTMS-50 & BTMS-25: The Luxurious Conditioning Emulsifiers

BTMS-50 and BTMS-25 are conditioning emulsifiers that work wonders in shampoo bars, conditioners, and hair treatments by leaving hair silky, smooth, and detangled. Both are derived from rapeseed oil and contain Behentrimonium Methosulfate, a mild, non-irritating conditioning agent that helps reduce frizz, improve manageability, and add softness to hair. These ingredients not only condition the hair but also act as emulsifiers, helping to blend oils and water-based ingredients into a stable formula.

BTMS-50 vs. BTMS-25: What’s the Difference?

The key difference between the two lies in their conditioning power and additional ingredients: BTMS-50 contains 50% active conditioning ingredients, including Cetearyl Alcohol, which enhances slip and moisture. It also includes Butylene Glycol, which adds an extra hydration boost. This makes BTMS-50 the better choice for deep conditioning, intense moisture, and extra detangling power. BTMS-25 contains 25% active conditioning ingredients, making it a lighter option for those who want a milder conditioning effect. It’s ideal for fine or oily hair types that need some slip without heavy buildup.

Cetyl Alcohol: The Silky Emollient & Thickener

Despite its name, Cetyl Alcohol isn’t a drying or irritating alcohol—it’s actually a fatty alcohol derived from coconut or palm oil, known for its emollient, thickening, and conditioning properties. It plays a crucial role in shampoo bars, conditioners, and creams, where it enhances texture, adds richness, and improves moisture retention.

In shampoo bars, Cetyl Alcohol helps solidify the bar while providing slip and softness, making hair easier to detangle. It also works as an emulsifier, helping oils and water-based ingredients blend smoothly. It’s particularly useful in hydrating formulas for dry, curly, or damaged hair because it helps lock in moisture without weighing hair down.

Stearic Acid: The Hardening & Moisturizing Powerhouse

Stearic Acid is a naturally occurring fatty acid, often derived from coconut, palm, or shea butter, and is known for its thickening, emulsifying, and hardening abilities. It’s a key ingredient in solid shampoo bars, conditioners, lotions, and even soaps, where it adds structure, enhances creaminess, and provides long-lasting moisture.

In shampoo bars, Stearic Acid helps create a firm, long-lasting bar while also acting as an emollient, helping to soften and smooth hair. It also boosts the conditioning properties of other ingredients, making it especially beneficial for dry, coarse, or frizz-prone hair types.

Sodium Cocoamphoacetate (SCA): The Gentle Cleanser & Foam Booster

Sodium Cocoamphoacetate (SCA) is a mild, amphoteric surfactant derived from coconut oil. It is widely used in shampoo and conditioner bars for its gentle cleansing, foam-boosting, and conditioning properties. Unlike harsh sulfates, SCA is non-stripping and pH-balanced, making it ideal for sensitive scalps and all hair types.

One of the key benefits of SCA is its ability to enhance foam and improve rinseability without causing dryness or irritation. It helps create a rich, creamy lather, even in hard water, making it a fantastic addition to solid shampoos, facial cleansers, and body washes. It also boosts the performance of other surfactants, making formulations milder and more effective. In conditioner bars, SCA acts as a co-surfactant that aids in detangling and smoothness. It gently removes excess oil while leaving natural moisture intact, making hair feel soft, clean, and manageable.