What Is Palmitamide Dea?
Palmitamide Dea, also known as N,N-bis(2-Hydroxyethyl)hexadecan-1-amide, is a fatty acid amide created by reacting palmitic acid (a naturally occurring fatty acid found in palm oil and other plant fats) with diethanolamine. The result is a creamy, wax-like substance that easily blends with water-based and oil-based ingredients, making it handy for many personal care formulas.
The cosmetic world first picked up on Palmitamide Dea in the 1970s when formulators were searching for gentler ways to boost lather in shampoos and liquid soaps. Its dual water-loving and oil-loving structure turned out to be an excellent way to stabilize foam and thicken products without harsh detergents. Today, it is produced in large batches through a straightforward condensation process, where purified palmitic acid is combined with diethanolamine under controlled heat until the two molecules join.
You will most often spot Palmitamide Dea in rinse-off products such as shampoos, body washes and bubble baths. It can also appear in facial cleansers, shaving creams and some leave-on conditioners where a bit of extra slip or thickness is desired.
Palmitamide Dea’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
This ingredient pulls its weight in several ways within a formula:
- Antistatic: Helps reduce static cling on hair by smoothing the cuticle so strands do not repel each other, leading to sleeker styles and fewer flyaways
- Foam Boosting: Enhances and stabilizes lather, giving shampoos and washes a richer foam that spreads easily and feels more luxurious on skin and hair
- Viscosity Controlling: Thickens formulas so they do not run off your hand or hair too quickly, improving ease of use and helping active ingredients stay in contact with the skin or scalp for longer
Who Can Use Palmitamide Dea
Palmitamide Dea is generally well tolerated by most skin and hair types, including normal, dry and combination. Because it is mainly used in rinse-off products, even oily or acne-prone users usually handle it without issues. Those with very sensitive or eczema-prone skin may still prefer gentler formulas or shorter contact time, as the ingredient can slightly increase cleansing power.
The palmitic acid used to make Palmitamide Dea is almost always sourced from palm oil, a plant origin, so the finished ingredient is suitable for vegetarians and vegans. Always look for brands that confirm sustainable palm sourcing if that is important to you.
No specific warnings link Palmitamide Dea to pregnancy or breastfeeding risks. It does not penetrate deeply or act hormonally, so it is considered low concern for these groups. This is not medical advice and pregnant or nursing individuals should check any personal care product with a doctor for peace of mind.
The ingredient does not cause photosensitivity, so there is no need to avoid sunlight after use. It is also safe on color-treated hair since it does not strip dye. Overall it fits well into most daily cleansing or haircare routines.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Responses to topical Palmitamide Dea differ from person to person. The points below outline potential side effects but most users will not notice any problems when the ingredient is used in a well balanced formula
- Mild skin irritation such as redness or itching, especially on very sensitive skin
- Eye stinging if shampoo or cleanser accidentally gets into the eyes
- Rare allergic contact dermatitis in individuals sensitized to fatty acid amides or diethanolamine derivatives
- Product buildup on hair leading to a weighed-down feel if not rinsed thoroughly
- Trace nitrosamine formation if the product is poorly preserved or exposed to high heat during storage
If you experience any unexpected irritation or discomfort stop using the product and consult a healthcare professional
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 1 out of 5. Palmitamide Dea is a high molecular weight fatty acid amide that tends to stay on the surface and is usually found in rinse-off formulas, so it has little time to lodge in pores. Unlike straight oils or waxes, it is present at low percentages and is surrounded by surfactants that help lift it away during rinsing. Because of this low residue profile, most dermatology references put it near the bottom of the clog-pore scale.
Suitable for acne-prone or breakout-prone skin in the context of well-formulated shampoos, body washes or cleansers.
As with any ingredient that contains traces of diethanolamine, formulators must control pH and storage conditions to prevent impurities that might irritate reactive skin, but this does not typically influence pore clogging.
Summary
Palmitamide Dea acts as an antistatic agent that smooths hair cuticles, a foam booster that builds rich stable lather and a viscosity controller that thickens liquids so they feel creamy and stay where you apply them. It achieves these jobs thanks to its dual water-loving and oil-loving structure which lets it sit at the interface of bubbles and bind watery and oily parts of a formula together.
The ingredient enjoyed a surge of popularity in the late twentieth century, especially in shampoos and bubble baths, but has since become more of a background workhorse than a headline act as brands experiment with newer mild surfactants.
Overall safety data rate it as low risk when used at standard levels, particularly because it is mostly washed off the skin or hair. Still, skin is personal so it is always wise to patch test any new product that contains Palmitamide Dea to be sure it plays nicely with your individual tolerance.