Ingredient
Sodium Cocoamphoacetate
Benefit:
Synthetic
Surfactants are organic compounds with a hydrophobic tail and a hydrophilic head. This means they attract oil and water, helping all of the different ingredients in a formula blend together. It also means that they can attract sebum and dirt from the skin and hair and allow them to be washed off with water.
Sodium Cocoamphoacetate
Not only cleansing but sodium cocoamphoacetate is also appreciated for many other properties. As a foam stabiliser, it increases the surface tension of the liquid that surrounds individual bubbles, resulting in a rich foam that doesn't just disappear. It is also conditioning the hair and helps creams and shower gels to glide smoothly on the skin.
Lush purchase two versions of this material, one is derived from palm and coconut fatty acids, while the other is palm-free. Of course, we'd prefer to only use the palm-free version, but unfortunately, synthetic compounds rarely work that way. One does not automatically replace the other because it will not behave the same with the other ingredients. This is why most of the time, we will find the palm-free version in new or seasonal products and not in our usual range - it is easier to build a new formula around a new compound rather than to change an existing one.