Skip to content
CarCareTruthProducts · Ranked

Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB)

  • Amphoteric surfactants
  • CAS 61789-40-0
  • IUPAC: 1-Propanaminium, 3-amino-N-(carboxymethyl)-N,N-dimethyl-, N-coco acyl derivs., inner salts

Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB) (CAS 61789-40-0) appears in 10 of the 1,812 car-care products CarCareTruth tracks (as of June 2026). It is on the EPA Safer Choice list.

Very gentle amphoteric surfactant. Used in baby shampoo formulations. Rare contact allergen in sensitive individuals at high concentrations.

CAPB is the gentle co-surfactant found alongside SLES in most car shampoos. It's amphoteric (works in both acidic and basic conditions), boosts foam density and stability, and reduces the irritation potential of the primary surfactant.

EPA Safer Choice listed. Readily biodegradable. This is one of the gentlest effective cleaning agents available — the same chemistry used in "no tears" baby shampoos.

Health & environment profile

VOC
no
Prop 65 listed
no
Asthmagen
no
EPA Safer Choice
yes
Aquatic toxicity
no
Biodegradable
yes
Bioaccumulative
no
Persistent
no
Ozone depleting
no
Microplastic
no
PFAS
no
Env. score
5/5
Purpose: Secondary surfactant / foam booster

Common questions about Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB)

What is Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB) used for in car care?
Secondary surfactant / foam booster
Is Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB) a VOC?
No. Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB) is not classified as a volatile organic compound (VOC).
Is Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB) on California's Proposition 65 list?
No. Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB) is not on California's Proposition 65 list.
Is Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB) EPA Safer Choice certified?
Yes. Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB) is on the EPA Safer Choice list.

10 products contain this

Related

Health and environment notes translate the manufacturer Safety Data Sheet, the GHS classification, and authoritative regulatory listings (California Prop 65, EPA). Not medical advice. They describe the ingredient itself; whether a hazard applies to a finished product depends on its concentration and how it's used.