What Is Dea-Linoleate?
Dea-Linoleate is a compound made when linoleic acid teams up with diethanolamine in a one-to-one ratio. Linoleic acid is an essential fatty acid most often pressed from plant oils such as sunflower or safflower, while diethanolamine is a clear liquid derived from ethanol. When the two are blended under controlled heat and pH, they form a salt that can dissolve in both water and oil, making it handy for modern skin and hair care formulas.
The beauty industry adopted Dea-Linoleate in the late 1970s as brands searched for ingredients that could soften texture, tame static and hold formulas together in a single step. Its multitasking nature soon put it in everything from daily lotions to rinse-off conditioners.
Today you are most likely to spot Dea-Linoleate in creams, lotions, leave-in and rinse-off hair conditioners, facial masks, lightweight serums, sunscreens and styling products that promise smooth glide and a non-greasy finish.
Dea-Linoleate’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
In formulas, Dea-Linoleate pulls triple duty, helping products feel better, work better and stay stable.
- Antistatic: It reduces the buildup of static electricity on hair strands so your style looks sleek instead of flyaway. This gives combs and brushes an easier glide and leaves hair with a softer touch.
- Emulsifying: Because it can mix oil and water, it keeps creams and lotions from separating. A stable emulsion means a smoother texture, better spreadability and consistent performance each time you use the product.
- Viscosity Controlling: It fine-tunes thickness, letting chemists create anything from a light fluid to a rich butter without extra waxes or gums. Balanced viscosity ensures the product is easy to scoop, pump or squeeze and stays put on skin or hair until it is absorbed or rinsed away.
Who Can Use Dea-Linoleate
Because it is a gentle fatty acid salt Dea-Linoleate is generally well tolerated by normal, dry, combination and oily skin. Sensitive or highly reactive skin may still experience mild irritation since the diethanolamine portion can be a trigger for some users, especially at higher percentages or in leave-on formulas.
The ingredient is sourced from plant oils and synthetic ethanol derivatives so it is usually suitable for vegans and vegetarians. Brands that pursue strict animal-free certification should confirm the linoleic acid is not processed with animal by-products.
No specific warnings exist for pregnant or breastfeeding women, though data are limited. This information is not medical advice and anyone who is pregnant or nursing should check with a healthcare professional before starting a new cosmetic product, just to be safe.
Dea-Linoleate is not known to increase photosensitivity and plays nicely with daily sun exposure when used in typical cosmetic levels.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Responses to topical Dea-Linoleate vary from person to person. The points below outline potential issues that could arise, although most users will not experience them when the ingredient is used at the low levels found in finished products.
- Skin irritation such as redness or stinging, more likely on compromised or sensitive skin
- Allergic contact dermatitis in individuals already sensitized to diethanolamine compounds
- Eye irritation if the product accidentally enters the eyes before rinsing
- Scalp or hair buildup leaving strands feeling coated when used in very rich conditioners
- Nitrosamine formation if the formula also contains strong nitrosating agents and is stored over long periods
If you notice any discomfort or unexpected reaction stop using the product and seek guidance from a qualified medical professional
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 1 / 5
Dea-Linoleate is mostly water dispersible and breaks down into linoleic acid, a fatty acid that tends to help maintain a clear skin barrier rather than clog pores. Its salt form keeps it from forming a heavy film so the likelihood of blocked pores is considered low. Rich leave-on creams that pair it with heavier oils could tip the scale slightly but on its own the ingredient is unlikely to trigger blackheads or whiteheads. Acne-prone users can generally use products containing Dea-Linoleate without added worry.
Because it rinses cleanly in wash-off products, its pore-clogging potential drops even further, making shampoos, conditioners and masks the safest bets for breakout-prone skin.
Summary
Dea-Linoleate acts as an antistatic agent, an emulsifier and a viscosity controller. Its dual water-and-oil loving structure lets it bind oil to water for smooth stable creams, tame flyaways by reducing static on hair and fine tune thickness so formulas feel just right. While once more common in the 1980s it now shows up mainly in multifunctional hair products, sunscreens and select moisturizers that call for a light non-greasy touch.
Current safety data classifies Dea-Linoleate as low risk when used at standard cosmetic levels. Most people, including those with sensitive or acne-prone skin, tolerate it well though the diethanolamine part can occasionally irritate. As with any new product do a quick patch test first to make sure your skin agrees before applying it all over.