What it is
A sulfate surfactant derived from coconut fatty acid blend rather than purified lauric acid; effectively SLS with a longer average chain and co-products.
What it does
Marketed as a “natural” alternative to SLS in solid shampoo bars and cleansers.
Why it’s a concern
SCS contains around 50% SLS by composition, so the skin-irritation profile is very similar to SLS. The “coconut-derived” label is misleading given that the concern with SLS is the sulfation chemistry, not the source of the fatty alcohol.
Also known as
SCS
CAS numbers
97375-27-4
Commonly found in
shampoo barnatural-branded cleansers
Safer alternatives
- sodium cocoyl isethionate
- decyl glucoside
- coco-glucoside
Sources
- SCCS Opinion on Alkyl Sulfates