Tea-Cocoyl Alaninate

What is Tea-Cocoyl Alaninate?

TEA-Cocoyl Alaninate is an anionic surfactant formed as the triethanolamine salt of N-cocoyl-L-alanine, combining fatty acids from coconut oil with the amino acid alanine. This creates a biodegradable, plant-based ingredient commonly found in shampoos, body washes, facial cleansers, and baby products. It works by lowering surface tension to produce rich foam and form micelles that trap oils, dirt, and impurities for easy rinsing. Unlike harsher surfactants, its amino acid structure mimics skin's natural lipids, enabling effective cleansing while preserving the skin's moisture barrier and providing light conditioning to hair by reducing friction and static. Valued for its mildness, it supports formulations targeting sensitive skin and scalps without compromising performance.

Comedogenic Rating 0/5 Low risk of clogging pores
EWG Safety Rating 1-2 View on EWG →

Roles in Formulation

This ingredient serves the following purposes in cosmetic formulations:

Hair conditioning
Improves softness, shine, and manageability by reducing friction and static; commonly achieved with cationic agents, silicones, oils, or conditioning polymers.
Surfactant
Lowers surface tension to enable cleansing, emulsifying, and foaming; central to shampoos, body washes, and many emulsions and micellar systems.
Cleansing agent
Removes dirt, oil, and impurities by lowering surface tension and forming micelles, enabling soils to be lifted and rinsed away from skin, hair, or teeth.

Benefits

Delivers gentle cleansing by effectively removing impurities while maintaining skin hydration.

Enhances hair softness, shine, and ease of combing through reduced friction.

Offers low comedogenic potential, minimizing pore-clogging risks.

Who It's For

A quick guide for who this ingredient may suit (and who should be cautious).

Who May Benefit Who Should Avoid
Individuals with sensitive or dry skin seeking non-stripping cleansers.
Those with known allergies to coconut-derived ingredients.
People with fragile hair needing conditioning without heavy residues.
People sensitive to triethanolamine salts.
Users of baby or gentle daily wash products.
Individuals preferring completely amine-free formulations.

Safety Notes

  • Rated low hazard by safety assessments for cosmetic use.
  • Demonstrates mildness in surfactant evaluations for skin and eye compatibility.

Frequently Asked Questions about Tea-Cocoyl Alaninate

What makes TEA-Cocoyl Alaninate mild?

Its amino acid backbone mimics skin lipids, allowing gentle cleansing without barrier disruption.

Is it suitable for hair care?

Yes, it conditions by smoothing cuticles and reducing static for better manageability.

Can it replace harsher surfactants?

Often used in mild formulas as a sulfate alternative for shampoos and washes.