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Innovative Oral Care Products and Ingredients

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Davids bamboo toothbrush with sprigs of greenery and an artisanal bowl of Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate as an active ingredient in Toothpaste

sodium cocoyl glutamate

A mild, vegetable-derived surfactant and foaming agent that creates a smooth, clean lather for a gentler brushing experience.

the plant-based surfactant behind Davids clean lather formula

Sodium cocoyl glutamate (SCG) in toothpaste is a surfactant, a naturally derived compound that lowers surface tension between two substances. This allows air to enter the toothpaste solution, causing the foaming action in the toothpaste.

For Davids, an SLS free toothpaste brand, SCG provides a lather that helps toothpaste formulas coat the entire tooth. This helps other beneficial ingredients, such as nano hydroxyapatite, calcium carbonate, and hydrated silica, to work close to the tooth’s surface, supporting enamel health and gently lifting away surface stains.

Ingredient Spotlight

We use sodium cocoyl glutamate in Davids toothpastes because it’s valued for its gentle profile. The plant-derived ingredient comes from coconut, and it meets EWG VERIFIED® standards while supporting a more comfortable and effective brushing experience.

  • Naturally derived from coconut oil and glutamic acid for a quality ingredient profile
  • Creates a smooth, even lather that helps the toothpaste coat the entire mouth
  • Gentle on soft mouth and gum tissue for a more comfortable brush
  • Meets EWG VERIFIED® standards for safety and ingredient transparency
  • Works alongside nano hydroxyapatite, calcium carbonate, and hydrated silica in Davids formulas


Palm leaves, coconuts, and a wooden spoon holding the same as what’s in bowl: sodium cocoyl glutamate in Davids  toothpaste

what is sodium cocoyl glutamate?

Sodium cocoyl glutamate comes from renewable plant sources, specifically the fatty acids from coconut and the fermentation of plant sugars. To manufacture the ingredient, SCG is synthesized using a multistep process: 

  • Extraction and isolation: Separating fatty acids from coconut oil
  • Condensation: Bonding coconut fatty acids with glutamic acid
  • Neutralization and purification: Refining the compound to meet ingredient standards

The sodium cocoyl glutamate in our toothpaste meets EWG VERIFIED® standards, is mild, and suitable for everyday use. It fits the Davids’ vegan, naturally derived, and cruelty-free promise.

how does it work?

SCG has dual-action molecules. Each molecule has a water-loving (hydrophilic) head and a water-fearing (hydrophobic) tail. The tails attach to food debris, oils, and residue on the surface of the teeth. The heads pull these trapped impurities into the water to help rinse them away.

That’s not all. Sodium cocoyl glutamate in toothpaste produces a fine, stable foam as it reduces surface tension. This keeps cleaning ingredients suspended and evenly distributed during brushing, helping to push the ingredients into the hardest-to-reach places.

Sodium cocoyl glutamate white powder on a wooden spoon and scattered across a black slate surface.
Close-up of sodium cocoyl glutamate white powder in a metal spoon, with fine granules scattered across a dark textured surface.

why Davids uses it

Davids uses SCG because it’s naturally sourced and derived,  and effective. It’s gentle on the soft tissues of the mouth, unlike SLS, which can cause irritation.

While the foaming action produces a milder lather, it doesn’t alter the effectiveness of the toothpaste. By foaming, SCG helps to push Davids’ other ingredients further across the teeth and gums for a more thorough clean.

More than that, however, sodium cocoyl glutamate in toothpaste is what our customers expect. We are a fluoride free, SLS free, cruelty-free, and vegan brand.

brush smarter with Davids ingredients

Davids is a vegan-friendly brand, focusing on naturally derived and scientifically supported ingredients. The sodium cocoyl glutamate (SCG) in our toothpaste complements our premium ingredient lineup, helping bolster our formulas while maintaining our promise to craft high performance oral care formulas using naturally sourced and derived ingredients. Explore our SLS free toothpastes, and choose ingredients your body can trust.

frequently asked questions

is sodium cocoyl glutamate gentle enough for everyday use?

Yes. Sodium cocoyl glutamate has a gentle profile that is ideal for everyday use. Because it’s an amino acid-based surfactant, it behaves differently from other chemical surfactants. SCG maintains a strong safety rating from the Environmental Working Group (EWG), confirming the ingredient is safe for regular use.

what is the difference between sodium cocoyl glutamate and SLS?

Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is a synthetic surfactant commonly used in conventional toothpaste. Sodium cocoyl glutamate (SCG) is naturally sourced and derived from coconut oil and plant sugars. Davids uses sodium cocoyl glutamate in its toothpaste because it aligns with the brand’s ingredient standards and EWG VERIFIED® requirements, offering effective foaming without irritating detergents.

is sodium cocoyl glutamate vegan?

Yes. SCG is entirely plant-based. It’s made by combining the fatty acids of coconut oil with glutamic acid from plant sugars. Davids uses SCG because it aligns with its certified vegan and cruelty-free standards. As a Leaping Bunny certified brand, Davids doesn’t use animal testing for its ingredients or products.

is sodium cocoyl glutamate safe for kids?

Yes. SCG is well-suited for everyday family use. With its mild, plant-based profile, it’s often a preferred ingredient in children’s oral care products. Davids uses sodium cocoyl glutamate (SCG) in our toothpaste for these reasons and because it is plant-derived, fitting the brand’s promise of premium naturally sourced, and vegan ingredients. SCG received a level 1 rating from the Environmental Working Group, meaning it is suitable for everyday use.

does sodium cocoyl glutamate in toothpaste affect its effectiveness?

No. While SCG produces a milder lather than other surfactants, it doesn’t reduce the effectiveness of the toothpaste formula. The foaming action helps to distribute the cleaning ingredients, such as nano hydroxyapatite, calcium carbonate, and hydrated silica, evenly across the gums and teeth, even the hard-to-reach spaces, offering a more thorough and effective brushing.

which Davids toothpastes contain sodium cocoyl glutamate?

Davids doesn’t use SLS or other synthetic surfactants in its products. We use naturally sourced and derived ingredients. SCG is one of those ingredients found in our toothpaste products. We use this ingredient not only to maintain our promise to remain SLS free, but also because of its gentle profile and how it complements our other ingredients.

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About Author

Andrew Talarzyk is a marketing leader at Davids Toothpaste, where he helps bring the brand’s clean, science-forward approach to oral care into sharper focus for consumers, retailers, and media partners. As Senior Manager of Marketing, Andrew supports a brand built on the belief that toothpaste can be both high-performing and thoughtfully made, combining naturally sourced and naturally derived ingredients with modern dental science.

Through his work with Davids, Andrew helps communicate the company’s broader mission: creating oral care products that prioritize ingredient transparency, sustainability, and everyday performance without relying on harsh chemicals, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. His leadership aligns closely with Davids’ position as an innovator in the nano hydroxyapatite space, particularly through the brand’s Hydroxi™ formulas. 

Hydroxyapatite is especially compelling because it mirrors a mineral naturally found in teeth and is used in Davids products to support enamel health, help smooth micro-imperfections, and provide sensitivity support.

Andrew’s value as a spokesperson lies in his ability to connect product innovation with a broader consumer shift toward cleaner, more intentional personal care. He represents Davids as a brand that is not simply following the natural oral care category, but helping define where it goes next: toward formulas that are effective, transparent, sustainability-minded, and grounded in a more informed understanding of what people want from the products they use every day.