Hydroxysultaine Guide: Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
<strong>Hydroxysultaine</strong> (INCI: Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine) is a zwitterionic amphoteric surfactant with a sulfonate head group instead of the carboxylate found in betaines. That structural change improves <strong>electrolyte tolerance</strong> in high-salt dish liquids and institutional cleaners while retaining foam boosting and mildness. Venus Ethoxyethers supports amphoteric-compatible formulation programmes from Goa, India.
What is hydroxysultaine?
Sultaines (hydroxysultaines) are amphoteric surfactants in which a quaternary nitrogen is paired with a sulfonate-bearing head. Like betaines, they form mixed micelles with anionic primaries (SLES, LAS) without cat–an precipitation. Unlike standard cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB), hydroxysultaine holds foam and viscosity better when builder salts or high ionic strength would salt out carboxylate betaines.
For the broader amphoteric family (betaines, amphoacetates, amine oxides) see the amphoteric surfactants guide. For CAPB-focused buyer guidance see the CAPB guide.
Hydroxysultaine vs CAPB
| Attribute | CAPB | Hydroxysultaine |
|---|---|---|
| Head group | Carboxylate betaine | Sulfonate sultaine |
| Salt tolerance | Moderate | Very good |
| Typical home | Shampoo / body wash chassis | Dish liquid, HI&I, high-salt systems |
| Use level | 2–6% active | 2–5% active typical |
| Foam / mildness | Excellent foam creaminess | Good foam; strong in electrolyte |
Where formulators use hydroxysultaine
Hand dishwashing liquids: LAS or SLES primary + hydroxysultaine co-surfactant for creamy foam in 4–8% salt / hydrotrope systems.
Hard-surface and I&I cleaners: Alkaline degreasers with builders where CAPB may thin or haze.
Personal care: Sulfate-free or high-electrolyte rinse-off systems needing amphoteric mildness with salt tolerance.
Oilfield / industrial foam: Specialty foam packages where brine salinity stresses standard betaines — always validate foam half-life and compatibility.
Worked examples
Hand dish liquid (illustrative):
- 8–12% LAS or SLES (primary)
- 2–4% cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine
- 1–3% amine oxide (optional foam stabilizer)
- Hydrotrope / salt as needed for clarity and viscosity
- pH ~7–9; fragrance and dye
Alkaline hard-surface cleaner:
- 3–6% fatty alcohol ethoxylate (low foam grade if spray)
- 2% hydroxysultaine
- Builder / chelant package
- Validate flash foam vs rinse residues
Related chassis pages: SLES + CAPB blend, amphoteric products, HI&I surfactants guide.
Specification tips
Request active %, colour, sodium chloride content, and residual amidoamine / DMAPA where relevant. Confirm compatibility with preservatives, fragrance oils, and anionic thickeners across shelf-life pH. Hydroxysultaine is not a drop-in for every CAPB formula — rebuild salt curves after substitution.
Contact Venus to discuss amphoteric co-surfactant selection for dish, HI&I, or personal care programmes.