In recent years, the personal care and household cleaning industries have continued to move toward milder, more compounded, and greener formulations. As a result, amphoteric surfactants are being used more widely in cleansing and care products. Cocamidopropyl Betaine, commonly known in the industry as CAB-35, has become a widely used auxiliary surfactant in shampoos, body washes, facial cleansers, hand soaps, and other formulations due to its good compatibility, thickening and foam-stabilizing performance, and mild skin feel.
1. Where Does the Name CAB-35 Come From?
Cocamidopropyl Betaine is an amphoteric surfactant produced mainly from coconut oil fatty acids through amidation condensation and quaternization processes. Its molecular formula is commonly written as C19H38N2O3, and its CAS number is 86438-79-1. Because the chemical name is relatively long, “CAB-35” is often used as a general industry abbreviation in procurement and formulation communication.
The number “35” usually refers to a nominal active matter content of around 35%, helping buyers quickly identify the product type. However, actual active matter content, sodium chloride content, pH value, color, odor, and impurity control may vary among suppliers. Before formal procurement, buyers should refer to the supplier’s TDS, COA, and sample verification results.
2. Key Functions and Formulation Value
As an amphoteric surfactant, CAB-35 can be compounded with anionic, nonionic, and some cationic surfactants, while maintaining good system stability under a wide range of pH conditions. In personal care formulations, it is commonly used to improve foam texture, increase system viscosity, enhance the smooth after-feel after rinsing, and help reduce the irritation that may come from anionic surfactant systems.
In shampoos, body washes, and facial cleansing products, CAB-35 helps create fine, rich, and stable foam. In transparent or light-colored formulations, lower color, lower odor, and lower impurity levels can help improve product appearance and user experience. In industrial cleaning and textile processing applications, it can also be used as an auxiliary raw material in compounded surfactant systems.
3. Key Indicators for B2B Procurement
When purchasing CAB-35, buyers should pay attention not only to price, but also to active matter content, sodium chloride content, free amine, monochloroacetic acid, pH value, color, odor, and batch-to-batch stability.
For formulations requiring high transparency, low odor, or suitability for sensitive-skin products, appearance, odor, and impurity control should be carefully evaluated. For systems requiring stronger thickening and foam-stabilizing performance, small-scale formulation tests should be conducted together with the main surfactant system and salt curve evaluation.
Because sensory and physicochemical indicators may vary between batches and sources, downstream customers are advised to request samples, TDS, COA, and necessary safety documents before bulk purchasing, and to conduct stability testing based on their own formulation systems.
4. Applications and Supply Support
Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAB-35) is widely used in shampoos, foaming body washes, facial cleansers, hand soaps, baby care products, household cleaning products, and some industrial cleaning applications.
Suzhou Minghua Sugar Alcohol Co., Ltd. can supply CAB-35 and other surfactant products, and provide specification matching, sample support, and stable delivery services according to customers’ application requirements.
For more information about Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAB-35) specifications, samples, or quotations, please visit the product page on the official website of Minghua Sugar Alcohol and submit an inquiry.
The product characteristics described in this article are general industry descriptions. Specific technical indicators shall be subject to the official Technical Data Sheet of Minghua Sugar Alcohol products.
