Cocamide DEA explained

Cocamide DEA, or cocamide diethanolamine, is a diethanolamide made by reacting the mixture of fatty acids from coconut oils with diethanolamine.^[1] It is a viscous liquid and is used as a foaming agent in bath products like shampoos and hand soaps, and in cosmetics as an emulsifying agent. See cocamide for the discussion of the lengths of carbon chains in the molecules in the mixture. The chemical formula of individual components is CH₃(CH₂)_nC(=O)N(CH₂CH₂OH)₂, where n typically ranges from 8 to 18.

Safety

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) lists coconut oil diethanolamine condensate (cocamide DEA) as an IARC Group 2B carcinogen, which identifies this chemical as possibly carcinogenic to humans.^[2] The listing is based on a dermal animal bioassay.^[3]

In June 2012, the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment added cocamide DEA to the California Proposition 65 (1986) list of chemicals known to cause cancer.^[4]

Cocamide DEA has a high irritation potential.^[5]

See also

• Cocamide
• Cocamide MEA
• List of cosmetic ingredients

Notes and References

1. Web site: Therapeutic Goods Administration. Therapeutic Goods Administration. Chemical Substances. 20 June 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090615083950/http://www.tga.gov.au//docs/pdf/aan/aanchem.pdf. 15 June 2009. dead.
2. Web site: International Agency for Research on Cancer: Agents Classified by the IARC Monographs, Volumes 1–105.
3. Web site: IARC Monograph 101. IARC. 29 September 2018.
4. Web site: Chemicals Listed Effective June 22, 2012 As Known To The State Of California To Cause Cancer: benzophenone (CAS No. 119-61-9), coconut oil diethanolamine condensate (cocamide diethanolamine) (CAS No. 68603-42-9), diethanolamine (CAS No. 111-42-2), and 2-methylimidazole (CAS No. 693-98-1). 2012-06-22.
5. Turkoglu M, Sakr A . Evaluation of irritation potential of surfactant mixtures . Int J Cosmet Sci . 21 . 6 . 371–82 . December 1999 . 18503452 . 10.1046/j.1467-2494.1999.211920.x. 5528869 .