Oleyl betaine (inci)

Oleyl refers to oleyl alcohol (an unsaturated fatty alcohol) as the alcoholic part of a compound. Betaine is a derivative of the amino acid glycine and is formed as a by-product of sugar production from sugar beet molasses (beta vulgaris, hence "betaine").

The betaine oleyl alcohol ester is used in cosmetic formulations. It acts as an antistatic agent (reduces static charges by neutralizing the electrical charge on the surface, e.g. of hair), surfactant (washing-active substance), detergent (cleans the body surface), skin care product (nourishes the skin) and foaming agent (increases the foam formation and improves the volume, structure and durability of the foam).