Trideceth-2 Carboxamide Mea

What is Trideceth-2 Carboxamide Mea?

Trideceth-2 Carboxamide MEA is a lab-made compound starting from tridecyl alcohol, a branched-chain fatty alcohol sourced from petrochemicals. It gets ethoxylated with two ethylene oxide molecules to boost water solubility, then carboxylated to add a carboxyl group, and finally reacted with monoethanolamine to form the amide linkage. This results in an amphoteric surfactant with balanced hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tail. Primarily featured in rinse-off cleansers like shampoos, shower gels, and facial foams, it works by disrupting interfacial tension to mix water and oils, lifting away impurities effectively. It also generates and stabilizes creamy foam for a premium sensory experience during washing and adjusts formulation thickness to ensure smooth flow and even distribution.

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

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.

Benefits

Delivers effective yet gentle dirt and oil removal in wash products.

Builds abundant, lasting lather for an enjoyable cleansing ritual.

Fine-tunes product consistency for better spreadability and stability.

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 or body washes seeking reliable foam.
Those with known sensitivity to ethoxylated alcohols.
Individuals wanting balanced cleansing in emulsion-based cleansers.
Individuals reactive to ethanolamine derivatives.
People preferring stable textures in personal care formulations.
Users avoiding synthetic surfactants entirely.

Safety Notes

  • Considered low concern for use in cosmetics at typical levels.
  • Non-comedogenic, unlikely to clog pores.

Frequently Asked Questions about Trideceth-2 Carboxamide Mea

What does Trideceth-2 Carboxamide MEA do in products?

It cleanses by emulsifying oils, boosts foam, and controls thickness for optimal use.

Is it suitable for sensitive skin?

Generally mild with low irritation potential in rinse-off items.

Where is it commonly found?

In shampoos, body washes, and facial cleansers for better performance.