Database/Cleansing/TEA-Cocoyl Glutamate
Mostly natural · ISO 16128

Is TEA-Cocoyl Glutamate natural?

Mostly. Coconut fatty acid and fermentation-derived glutamic acid are natural; the triethanolamine counter-ion is a synthetic amine.

INCI nameTEA-Cocoyl Glutamate
CAS68187-29-1
FunctionCleansing · Hair Conditioning
FeedstockMade by acylating glutamic acid with coconut fatty…

How we scored it

Given formula omits the coco-acyl chain, contradicting the CosIng description; estimated N-lauroyl glutamic acid natural ~329 Da + TEA petrochemical 149 Da / 478 Da total = 0.69.
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.

Where it comes from

Made by acylating glutamic acid with coconut fatty acid, then compounding with triethanolamine, a petrochemical amine. No significant alternative route.

In plain English

A cleansing ingredient made from coconut fatty acid joined to glutamic acid, a fermentation-derived amino acid, balanced with a lab-made neutraliser. Used in shampoos and washes to cleanse hair and skin gently.

CosIng definition: L-Glutamic acid, N-coco acyl derivs., compds. with triethanolamine (1:1)

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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. 2TEA-COCOYL GLUTAMATE. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  3. 3TEA-COCOYL GLUTAMATE. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=TEA-COCOYL%20GLUTAMATE