Cocamine Oxide

Cocamine oxide (also called lauramine oxide or coconut oil amine oxide) is an amphoteric surfactant derived from coconut fatty acids. It is widely used in cleaning products as a foam stabilizer, wetting agent, and secondary surfactant alongside anionic surfactants. In alkaline pH environments (like the Griot's Garage Interior Cleaner at pH 11), it behaves as a mildly anionic compound, enhancing soil lift and grease cutting. The concentrated ingredient is an eye irritant and moderate skin irritant, but at typical in-use concentrations in aqueous cleaning formulas the health hazard is low. EU regulatory data classifies the substance as acutely toxic to aquatic organisms; however, it is readily biodegradable, limiting long-term persistence in the environment.