Cocamide DEA, or cocamide diethanolamine, is a fatty acid derivative that is used in many cosmetics and personal care products, including shampoos, hand soaps, hair dyes, bath products, and lotions. It's used as a foaming agent, emulsifying agent, and surfactant to help keep products stable, thicken them, and reduce surface tension between compounds.

Foaming agent: Increases foaming capacity and stabilizes foam

Emulsifying agent: Helps keep ingredients blended and prevents them from separating

Surfactant: Reduces surface tension between different compounds

Cocamide DEA is a viscous, amber-colored liquid that comes from coconut oil. It's made by chemically altering the fatty acids in coconut oil with a chemical called ethanolamine or diethanolamine. The process creates foaming agents and emulsifying agents.

According to the FDA, there's no reason to be concerned about the use of cocamide DEA in cosmetics. However, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Board says that cocamide DEA can react with other ingredients to create harmful substances called nitrosamines. The CIR Expert Panel concluded that cocamide DEA is safe in rinse-off products and in leave-on products at concentrations of 10% or less. However, cocamide DEA has been rated as moderate for cancer and allergies, and immunotoxicity, and high for use restrictions. The State of California also lists cocamide DEA as a chemical known to cause cancer or birth defects. Be sure to read the label on your personal care products.

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