Palmitamide Mea

What is Palmitamide Mea?

Palmitamide MEA is a non-ionic surfactant produced by combining palmitic acid, a saturated C16 fatty acid typically derived from vegetable oils such as palm or coconut, with monoethanolamine to form an amide linkage. This structure features a long hydrophobic chain and a hydrophilic ethanol group, enabling it to interact effectively at interfaces in formulations. Commonly incorporated into rinse-off personal care products like shampoos, conditioners, body washes, and facial cleansers, it functions by disrupting surface tension to lift away impurities, creating voluminous and stable lather for enhanced user experience, adjusting product consistency for better spreadability and stability, and neutralizing electrical charges on hair to minimize frizz and improve comb-through.

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

Supports effective yet gentle removal of dirt and excess oils in wash-off products.

Boosts foam quality for a creamy, luxurious feel during application.

Enhances texture control 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 daily shampoos and body washes seeking mild foaming action.
Those with allergies to fatty acid derivatives.
Individuals with hair prone to static or flyaways for better styling.
People sensitive to amide-based surfactants.
People preferring non-comedogenic options in cleansing routines.
Users avoiding palm oil-derived components.

Safety Notes

  • EWG rates it 1-3, indicating low overall concern.
  • Non-comedogenic with a rating of 0, suitable for pore-friendly formulas.

Frequently Asked Questions about Palmitamide Mea

What does Palmitamide MEA do in products?

It cleanses by lowering surface tension, boosts foam, thickens formulas, and reduces static on hair.

Is Palmitamide MEA safe for everyday use?

It carries a low EWG hazard score of 1-3 and is used safely in rinse-off cosmetics.

Can it cause breakouts?

No, with a comedogenic rating of 0, it does not promote pore clogging.