COCAMIDE DEA
COCAMIDE DEA, also called cocamide diethanolamine, is a mixture of amides made from coconut-oil fatty acids and diethanolamine. Because it contains fatty chains of different lengths, it is neither pure coconut oil nor one isolated molecule; it is a derivative prepared to disperse more readily in liquid cleansing products.
COCAMIDE DEA: what it is
COCAMIDE DEA, also called cocamide diethanolamine, is a mixture of amides made from coconut-oil fatty acids and diethanolamine. Because it contains fatty chains of different lengths, it is neither pure coconut oil nor one isolated molecule; it is a derivative prepared to disperse more readily in liquid cleansing products.
The name is commonly found in shampoos, liquid soaps and other rinse-off products. The ‘cocamide’ part points to coconut-derived fatty acids, while ‘DEA’ refers to the diethanolamine component used to form the amides. That combination explains why it behaves differently from a plant oil applied directly to skin or hair.
COCAMIDE DEA: what it does in cosmetics
In a cleanser, COCAMIDE DEA helps bring water and oily residue together so they can be rinsed away. It can also boost foam: foam does not clean on its own, but it helps spread the product and makes its distribution easier to notice while washing.
It is also used to stabilise emulsions and give a formula more body, so a liquid product is less likely to feel thin or separate easily. Those practical roles explain its use in cleansers; they do not mean that the ingredient by itself treats skin problems, changes wrinkles or delivers the effects of pure coconut oil.
COCAMIDE DEA: conditions and care
In the European Union, COCAMIDE DEA must not be used with nitrosating systems. The rule also limits nitrosamines to 50 µg/kg and requires nitrite-free containers; these are formulation and product-control conditions.
Restrictions and conditions of use
Products containing this ingredient
See which products include it and the name used in each composition.
