Linoleamide Dea

What is Linoleamide Dea?

Linoleamide DEA is a synthetic diethanolamide produced by reacting linoleic acid—a polyunsaturated omega-6 fatty acid sourced from plant oils like safflower or corn—with diethanolamine. This creates an amphiphilic compound with a long hydrophobic chain from the fatty acid and two hydrophilic hydroxyethyl groups. Primarily featured in rinse-off hair care items like shampoos and conditioners, it functions by lowering surface tension to aid cleansing and emulsification. Its structure enables foam enhancement for better lather stability, viscosity adjustment for optimal spreadability, and deposition on hair to minimize friction and static buildup. The ingredient's mild profile supports its role in formulations targeting scalp and hair without promoting pore occlusion.

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:

Hair conditioning
Improves softness, shine, and manageability by reducing friction and static; commonly achieved with cationic agents, silicones, oils, or conditioning polymers.
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

Boosts foam volume and stability for satisfying lather in shampoos.

Smooths hair surface to improve manageability and reduce static.

Adjusts product thickness for better texture and application.

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 wanting richer foam in daily hair cleansers.
Those preferring formulations free of ethanolamides.
People with flyaway or coarse hair seeking easier styling.
People sensitive to amide-based surfactants.
Individuals preferring thicker, more stable wash products.
Users concerned about potential nitrosamine contaminants.

Safety Notes

  • EWG scores range 1-3, indicating low overall hazard.
  • Non-comedogenic with a rating of 0, suitable for scalp use.

Frequently Asked Questions about Linoleamide Dea

What products typically use Linoleamide DEA?

Commonly found in shampoos, conditioners, and body washes for cleansing and conditioning.

Is Linoleamide DEA comedogenic?

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

What makes Linoleamide DEA effective in hair care?

Its dual surfactant and conditioning properties enhance foam, thickness, and hair smoothness.