Lauramide Dea

Benefits
Cleansing

What is Lauramide Dea?

Lauramide DEA is a synthetic amide compound formed by reacting lauric acid, a saturated fatty acid typically sourced from coconut or palm kernel oil, with diethanolamine. This creates a viscous liquid or paste widely used in rinse-off personal care products like shampoos, conditioners, body washes, and facial cleansers. As a non-ionic surfactant, it reduces surface tension between water and oils, enabling dirt and sebum removal while emulsifying formulations. It also interacts with other surfactants to increase foam density and stability, enhances product thickness for better spreadability, and deposits a conditioning film on hair to minimize static buildup. Primarily found in 1-5% concentrations in shampoos and bath products, it contributes to luxurious texture and user experience in cleansing systems.

Comedogenic Rating 0/5 Low risk of clogging pores
EWG Safety Rating 1-3 View on EWG →
PubChem View on PubChem →

Roles in Formulation

This ingredient serves the following purposes in cosmetic formulations:

Surfactant
Lowers surface tension to enable cleansing, emulsifying, and foaming; central to shampoos, body washes, and many emulsions and micellar systems.
Foam booster
Enhances foam volume and creaminess and can stabilize lather, improving sensory feel and perceived cleansing in shampoos and wash-off products.
Viscosity controlling agent
Adjusts thickness to the desired level for stability and usability, improving dispensing, suspension, and texture across many formulation types.
Antistatic agent
Reduces static electricity and flyaways by improving surface conductivity, enhancing hair manageability and smoothness in conditioners and styling products.

Benefits

Delivers thorough cleansing by emulsifying oils and dirt for easy rinse-off.

Builds creamy, stable foam that improves the sensory feel of washes and shampoos.

Adjusts viscosity and reduces static for smoother hair manageability.

Who It's For

A quick guide for who this ingredient may suit (and who should be cautious).

Who May Benefit Who Should Avoid
Users of shampoos and body washes seeking rich lather and easy rinsing.
Those with very sensitive skin prone to irritation from surfactants.
Individuals with normal to oily hair needing antistatic effects.
Users concerned about potential nitrosamine contamination in products.
People preferring thicker, more stable cleansing formulations.
Individuals preferring preservative-free or minimal-ingredient cleansers.

Safety Notes

  • Rated low to moderate hazard by EWG, with concerns mainly from possible nitrosamine formation if impure.
  • Generally safe in rinse-off products at typical use levels per cosmetic safety reviews.

Frequently Asked Questions about Lauramide Dea

What is Lauramide DEA used for?

It acts as a surfactant, foam booster, thickener, and antistatic in shampoos, body washes, and cleansers.

Is Lauramide DEA comedogenic?

No, it has a comedogenic rating of 0, making it unlikely to clog pores.

Is it irritating to skin?

Typically low irritation potential in rinse-off products at cosmetic concentrations.