Potassium cocoate
Potassium cocoate suppliers and sourcing guide
Potassium cocoate is the potassium soap of coconut oil fatty acids, made by saponifying coconut oil (or neutralizing coconut fatty acids) with potassium hydroxide. Potassium soaps are softer and more water-soluble than sodium soaps, so potassium cocoate is the base of liquid castile-style soaps, soft soaps and some shaving and cleansing products. Brands buy it as a liquid soap concentrate, a soft paste, or as part of a ready-made liquid soap base.
- Also known as
- Coconut oil, potassium salt · Coconut fatty acids, potassium salt · Potassium coconut soap · Coconut potash soap
- Facts checked
- November 2026
Forms and grades of potassium cocoate
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Liquid concentrate
Potassium cocoate in water at a stated solids or active level, for diluting into hand and body washes.
Paste or soft soap
Higher-solids paste for diluting or for soft soap products.
Liquid soap bases
Ready-made bases of potassium cocoate with other potassium soaps (such as olivate) and glycerin.
Organic
Made from certified organic coconut oil, often for castile-style products.
What to check on the COA
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
- Active soap or total fatty matter
- Soap content or total fatty matter by acid split and gravimetric or titration methods.
- Free alkali
- Free potassium hydroxide by titration, which must stay low for skin products.
- Unsaponified matter and free fatty acid
- Unsaponified oil and free fatty acid, which affect clarity, odor and lather.
- pH and solids
- pH of a dilution and solids or water content for liquid grades.
- Fatty acid profile
- Fatty acid composition by GC after acidification, to confirm coconut origin.
- Microbiology
- Total aerobic count, yeast and mold for diluted liquid grades.
Storage, lots and expiry
Storage and shelf life
Store liquid and paste potassium cocoate in closed containers at room temperature, protected from freezing and from strong heat; cold can cause clouding or separation, which usually reverses when warmed and mixed. Keep away from acids, which split the soap. Shelf life follows the supplier's specification.
Lots and expiry dates
Record soap content, free alkali and pH for each lot, since actives vary between suppliers and lots and change the dilution needed. Rotate stock first-in, first-out and check clarity and odor on older lots.
Regulatory status
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
21 CFR 701.20 says FDA interprets soap, which the Act excludes from the cosmetic definition, to cover only products where the bulk of the nonvolatile matter consists of an alkali salt of fatty acids and that are labeled, sold and represented only as soap.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)Health Canada's Natural Health Products Ingredients Database lists coconut oil, potassium salt with non-medicinal purposes of coating agent and emulsifying agent.
Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)
This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Potassium cocoate suppliers
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
We are checking potassium cocoate suppliers now
Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.
Sell potassium cocoate? Request a listingFrequently asked questions
What forms of potassium cocoate can brands buy?
Common forms include liquid concentrate, paste or soft soap, liquid soap bases and organic. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
What should the COA for potassium cocoate include?
Expect active soap or total fatty matter, free alkali, unsaponified matter and free fatty acid, pH and solids, fatty acid profile and microbiology, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
How should potassium cocoate be stored?
Store liquid and paste potassium cocoate in closed containers at room temperature, protected from freezing and from strong heat; cold can cause clouding or separation, which usually reverses when warmed and mixed. Keep away from acids, which split the soap. Shelf life follows the supplier's specification.
What is the regulatory status of potassium cocoate?
21 CFR 701.20 says FDA interprets soap, which the Act excludes from the cosmetic definition, to cover only products where the bulk of the nonvolatile matter consists of an alkali salt of fatty acids and that are labeled, sold and represented only as soap. Health Canada's Natural Health Products Ingredients Database lists coconut oil, potassium salt with non-medicinal purposes of coating agent and emulsifying agent.
More cosmetic bases, emollients and surfactants
- GlycerinGlycerol · Glycerine
- Propylene glycol1,2-Propanediol · Propane-1,2-diol
- Butylene glycol1,3-Butanediol · 1,3-Butylene glycol
- Propanediol1,3-Propanediol · Trimethylene glycol
- Pentylene glycol1,2-Pentanediol · Pentane-1,2-diol
- Cetearyl alcoholCetostearyl alcohol · Alcohols, C16-18
- Cetyl alcohol1-Hexadecanol · Palmityl alcohol
- Stearyl alcohol1-Octadecanol · Octadecyl alcohol
- Behenyl alcoholDocosanol · 1-Docosanol
- Caprylic/capric triglycerideMedium-chain triglycerides · MCT
- Isopropyl myristateIPM · Tetradecanoic acid, 1-methylethyl ester
- Isopropyl palmitateIPP · 1-Methylethyl hexadecanoate
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