Potassium Hydrogenated Cocoate
AKA “Potassium coconut oil soap, Emulsifier”
Surfactant
Ingredient Facts
Potassium hydrogenated cocoate
AKA: Potassium coconut oil soap, Emulsifier
Surfactant · Cleansing · EWG: 4
Synthetic
Cleanser
Plant Oil
Not Clean
Potassium salt of hydrogenated coconut acid
Effective at 30.0%
CAS #
8015-80-3; 8007-24-7; 8002-03-7; 68425-36-5; 91051-35-3
Form
Liquid
See origin →
Functions
Cleansing
Makes oil and water mix so dirt, makeup, and sunscreen can actually be washed away. The reason your face wash foams.
Cleansing Surfactant
Removes Impurities
Traditional Use
A modern synthetic surfactant created by hydrogenating and potassium-salifying coconut oil fatty acids. Developed in the mid-20th century to produce stable, mild cleansing agents for cosmetics.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
Allergen Warning
⚠️ Tree Nut (Coconut)
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Concentration Guide
0.0005%
60.0%
0%84%
Effective Range
CIR reported use: 0.3-4 | 0.001-3 | 0.01-15 | 0.0005-60 | 0.06-3
Regulatory Agencies
Unexpected skin barrier influence from nonionic emulsifiers.
Bárány E, Lindberg M, Lodén M
International journal of pharmaceutics, 2000
Unexpected skin barrier influence from nonionic emulsifiers.
Bárány E, Lindberg M, Lodén M
International journal of pharmaceutics, 2000
Potassium Hydrogenated Cocoate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Effects of silicone emulsifiers on in vitro skin permeation of sunscreens from cosmetic emulsions.
Montenegro L, Paolino D, Puglisi G
Journal of cosmetic science, 2004
Structure and rheology of semisolid o/w creams containing cetyl alcohol/non-ionic surfactant mixed emulsifier and different polymers.
Ribeiro HM, Morais JA, Eccleston GM
International journal of cosmetic science, 2004
Efficient Development of Green Emulsifier/Emollient-Based Emulsion Vehicles: From RSM Optimal Experimental Design to Abridged In Vivo Assessment.
Vukašinović M, Savić S, Cekić N, Ilić T, Pantelić I et al.
Pharmaceutics, 2023
Efficient Development of Green Emulsifier/Emollient-Based Emulsion Vehicles: From RSM Optimal Experimental Design to Abridged In Vivo Assessment.
Vukašinović M, Savić S, Cekić N, Ilić T, Pantelić I et al.
Pharmaceutics, 2023
Efficient Development of Green Emulsifier/Emollient-Based Emulsion Vehicles: From RSM Optimal Experimental Design to Abridged In Vivo Assessment.
Vukašinović M, Savić S, Cekić N, Ilić T, Pantelić I et al.
Pharmaceutics, 2023
Efficient Development of Green Emulsifier/Emollient-Based Emulsion Vehicles: From RSM Optimal Experimental Design to Abridged In Vivo Assessment.
Vukašinović M, Savić S, Cekić N, Ilić T, Pantelić I et al.
Pharmaceutics, 2023
Efficient Development of Green Emulsifier/Emollient-Based Emulsion Vehicles: From RSM Optimal Experimental Design to Abridged In Vivo Assessment.
Vukašinović M, Savić S, Cekić N, Ilić T, Pantelić I et al.
Pharmaceutics, 2023
Tailoring the Stability of W/O/W Liquid Foundations: A Comparative Study of Polyglycerol-Based W/O Emulsifiers.
Zhu C, Zeng L, Xie Z, Luo G, Chung LH et al.
ACS omega, 2026
Tailoring the Stability of W/O/W Liquid Foundations: A Comparative Study of Polyglycerol-Based W/O Emulsifiers.
Zhu C, Zeng L, Xie Z, Luo G, Chung LH et al.
ACS omega, 2026
Tailoring the Stability of W/O/W Liquid Foundations: A Comparative Study of Polyglycerol-Based W/O Emulsifiers.
Zhu C, Zeng L, Xie Z, Luo G, Chung LH et al.
ACS omega, 2026
Tailoring the Stability of W/O/W Liquid Foundations: A Comparative Study of Polyglycerol-Based W/O Emulsifiers.
Zhu C, Zeng L, Xie Z, Luo G, Chung LH et al.
ACS omega, 2026
Tailoring the Stability of W/O/W Liquid Foundations: A Comparative Study of Polyglycerol-Based W/O Emulsifiers.
Zhu C, Zeng L, Xie Z, Luo G, Chung LH et al.
ACS omega, 2026
Tailoring the Stability of W/O/W Liquid Foundations: A Comparative Study of Polyglycerol-Based W/O Emulsifiers.
Zhu C, Zeng L, Xie Z, Luo G, Chung LH et al.
ACS omega, 2026
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR