Database/Binding/Sodium Carboxymethyl Starch
Mostly natural · ISO 16128

Is Sodium Carboxymethyl Starch natural?

Mostly. Starch backbone is a natural plant polysaccharide; the carboxymethyl group comes from petrochemical chloroacetic acid; the sodium counter-ion is natural.

INCI nameSodium Carboxymethyl Starch
CAS9063-38-1
FunctionBinding · Emulsion Stabilising
FeedstockMade by reacting natural starch (corn, potato or…

How we scored it

Starch AGU C6H10O5 (162, natural) + assumed DS 0.7 CH2COONa (Na natural 16.1, CH2COO petro 40.6): (162+16.1)/(162+56.7) = 178/218 = 0.80.
What counts. ISO 16128-2 scores the atoms that remain in the final ingredient. Reagents, solvents, catalysts and protecting groups used during manufacture leave no mass behind and are not counted.

How it’s made

Starch alkoxide + chloroacetate (SN2), sodium carboxylate. Each curved arrow moves one electron pair, and the film ends on the score above.

Where it comes from

Made by reacting natural starch (corn, potato or similar) with chloroacetic acid to add carboxymethyl groups, then neutralising with sodium. Degree of substitution was not stated, so a typical commercial value (0.7) was assumed.

In plain English

Plant starch chemically modified with a carboxymethyl group and neutralised with sodium. Used to thicken, bind and stabilise creams, lotions and emulsions.

CosIng definition: Starch, carboxymethylether, sodium salt

Natural alternatives with the same function

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 Amylopectin 100% natural origin

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References

  1. 1ISO 16128-1:2016 and ISO 16128-2:2017 — Guidelines on technical definitions and criteria for natural and organic cosmetic ingredients and products. ISO, Geneva.
  2. 2SODIUM CARBOXYMETHYL STARCH. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  3. 3SODIUM CARBOXYMETHYL STARCH. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=SODIUM%20CARBOXYMETHYL%20STARCH