What is cocamide DEA and what are its properties?

Adding surfactants to cosmetics gives them properties that consumers desire every day. The products gain an ideal consistency, viscosity and foam well. In addition to the functional properties, the safety of using cosmetic additives is also of great importance. Detergent manufacturers use dozens of different surfactants in search of optimal solutions. One of them is cocamide DEA . What is worth knowing about it and where is it used?

What is cocamide DEA?

Cocamide DEA is otherwise coconut oil fatty acid diethanolamide. It is classified as a non-ionic surfactant, safe to use and approved as a base ingredient for cosmetics.

The chemical compound has a lipophobic effect and is very poorly soluble in water. It looks like wax or a white liquid. It is characterized by high viscosity.

Cocamide DEA is a fully synthetic product. It is made by combining diethylamine with coconut oil.

Which cosmetics contain cocamide DEA?

The compound is used as a base ingredient in many cosmetics. Most often you will find it, e.g. In:

• shampoos;
• shower gels and soaps;
• bath lotions;
• make-up removers and face washes;
• hair shampoos.

Due to the unification of consistency, manufacturers are eager to use cocamide DEA also in body lotions and creams. You can also find it in toothpastes.

The great advantage of cocamide is its high efficiency at a very low concentration - according to the applicable standards, its concentration may not exceed 0.5% of the product volume.

What properties does cocamide DEA have?

Cocamide DEA is used in cosmetics as a base, i.e. the dominant substance to which other ingredients are added. However, it turns out that its usefulness goes much further. Adding a compound causes:

• formation of foam and its stabilization - thanks to this, cosmetics are easy to spread and pleasant to use;
• formation of the so-called mixed micelles (when the lipophilic parts of solvents combine with their surfactant counterparts), which are larger and more stable than ordinary ones - this additive is said to be a rheology modifier, i.e. it positively affects the consistency of the product in which other surfactants are present ;
• removal of dirt particles from the skin;
• rebuilding and strengthening the natural lipid barrier of the epidermis by re-greasing its surface.

The addition of cocamide DEA to the cosmetic makes the products gain the right density, and emulsions combine better by thickening the water phase. Interestingly, adding a surfactant to shampoo or hair conditioner causes the substances to lose their electrostatic properties. As a result, the strands become soft, fluffy and retain their shape.

DEA cocamide quality and safety

The diethanolamine derivative used in the recommended concentration is completely safe for health. Products that contain it can be used by pregnant women. The ingredient is fully vegan and does not pollute the environment (it is quickly biodegradable).

In accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on cosmetic products (recast), cocamide DEA has been subjected to toxicological analysis and can be safely used in cosmetic products.

Are there substitutes for cocamide DEA?

You will often find other substances in cosmetics, they are used as substitutes for cocamide DEA . Most often it will be diethanolamide:

• lauric acid (Lauramide DEA);
• soybean oil (Soyamide DEA);
• linoleic acid (Linoleamide DEA);
• oleic acid (Oleamide DEA).

All DEA derivatives have similar properties, but cocamide DEA is the most common. Other variants of the chemical compound are most often added to enhance the effects of the basic substance without exceeding the legal concentration.

Where else will you use cocamide DEA-based substances?

If you want to make cosmetics only for your own use (DIY method, which has been popular recently), you will find the right ingredients in many cosmetics stores.

However, if you care about optimizing the technological process, check out the offer of the Distripark chemical warehouse. You will find various types of DEA derivatives that you can use in the production of cosmetic products, as well as in other industries.

We can offer you other products based on cocamide DEA, including:

• ROKAmid KAD - will work not only in the cosmetics industry, but also in other industries. It is used as a component of synthetic, semi-synthetic and water-soluble coolants in the metalworking process, as well as in the oil industry, where it is used for cleaning and degreasing. ROKAmid KAD is also used in the production of plastics, as well as an antistatic additive to polystyrene and polystyrene mixtures.
• CHELAmid DK – in addition to being used in the cosmetics industry, it is also used as an industrial cleaning and degreasing agent.
• ROKAmid RAD - has a similar effect as ROKAmid KAD. It can also be used in the construction industry as an additive and admixture to concrete and mortar, as well as in preparations for washing and caring for vehicles.

The universal use of cocamide DEA makes it an ecological alternative to concentrated chemicals that could be harmful to humans.

By choosing the Distripark offer, you can be sure that you are buying the highest quality ingredients. In case of doubt, you can also count on the professional advice of our specialists.

Check out our DEA cocamide range.