Disodium Ethylene Dicocamide Peg-15 Disulfate: What Is It, Cosmetic Uses, Benefits & Side Effects

Curious about this ingredient? In this article we're explaining exactly what it is and why it's used within cosmetic formulations.
Updated on: June 27, 2025
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We verify all information on this page using publicly available nomenclature standards from The Personal Care Products Council (PCPC), the European Commission's CosIng database and documentation provided directly by ingredient manufacturers. Our analysis is based on technical data from these sources to ensure accuracy and reliability.

What Is Disodium Ethylene Dicocamide Peg-15 Disulfate?

Disodium Ethylene Dicocamide Peg-15 Disulfate is a synthetic ingredient made from coconut-derived fatty acids that have been reacted with ethylene, sulfur compounds and polyethylene glycol. The result is a water-soluble anionic surfactant that carries two sodium ions, which help it dissolve oils and dirt when mixed with water.

The ingredient was first explored in the late 1980s as chemists looked for gentler alternatives to the harsher sulfates used in shampoos and body washes. By linking natural coconut oil chains with modern polyethylene glycol chemistry, they created a cleanser that produced rich foam yet felt mild on skin and hair. Over time its reliability and safety record led to wide adoption in personal care labs worldwide.

Manufacturing begins with splitting coconut oil into individual fatty acids, most of which have 12 to 14 carbon atoms. These acids are converted to amides, then ethylene bridges the two amide groups. Sulfonation introduces the cleansing sulfate groups and finally neutralization with sodium hydroxide forms the finished disodium salt. Strict washing and filtration steps remove leftover reactants so the powder or liquid concentrate meets cosmetic-grade purity standards.

You will most often find Disodium Ethylene Dicocamide Peg-15 Disulfate in rinse-off products. Typical formulas include everyday and baby shampoos, body washes, foaming facial cleansers, bath foams, exfoliating scrubs and some mild hand soaps. Because it boosts foam, small amounts also appear in bubble masks and certain cream cleansers that need extra lather without stripping skin.

Disodium Ethylene Dicocamide Peg-15 Disulfate’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses

This multitasking surfactant adds several helpful qualities to beauty products:

  • Cleansing: Its negatively charged sulfate groups attract oil and dirt then rinse them away with water leaving skin and hair fresh but not squeaky
  • Hair conditioning: The coconut-based fatty chains can coat strands lightly which helps reduce static and improves comb-through after rinsing
  • Foam boosting: It stabilizes bubbles so formulas create a thick creamy lather that consumers often associate with an effective wash

Who Can Use Disodium Ethylene Dicocamide Peg-15 Disulfate

This cleansing agent is generally considered suitable for normal, oily and combination skin types thanks to its mild nature and good rinse-off. Sensitive or very dry skin can usually tolerate it as well, though formulas with high concentrations may feel a bit drying on already compromised or eczema-prone skin because it is still a sulfate-based surfactant.

The ingredient is made from coconut fatty acids and petrochemical-derived building blocks, with no animal by-products used at any step, so it is accepted by most vegans and vegetarians.

No research flags special risks for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding when the ingredient is used in rinse-off cosmetics. Its large molecular structure keeps absorption through skin minimal. This is not medical advice and anyone who is pregnant or nursing should run all personal care products past a doctor to be on the safe side.

Disodium Ethylene Dicocamide Peg-15 Disulfate does not make skin more sensitive to sunlight and has no known issues with UV exposure. It is also color-safe for dyed hair and is compatible with common skincare actives such as niacinamide and hyaluronic acid.

Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions

Reactions to topical Disodium Ethylene Dicocamide Peg-15 Disulfate vary from person to person. The points below list potential side effects yet most users will not experience them when the ingredient is properly formulated and used as intended.

  • Mild skin dryness or tightness
  • Eye stinging or watering if the cleanser splashes into eyes
  • Scalp itching or redness in individuals with highly sensitive scalps
  • Rare allergic contact dermatitis presenting as rash or bumps
  • Temporary increase in frizz or tangling if left on hair too long before rinsing

If any discomfort, redness or persistent irritation occurs stop using the product and seek advice from a healthcare professional or dermatologist.

Comedogenic Rating

Rating: 1/5 (very low likelihood of clogging pores)

Disodium Ethylene Dicocamide Peg-15 Disulfate is a large, water-soluble surfactant that rinses away easily instead of lingering on skin. It lacks the heavy oily backbone found in many pore-clogging ingredients, and its coconut-derived fatty chains are balanced by the strongly hydrophilic sulfate groups. Because it is normally used in rinse-off cleansers rather than leave-on treatments, contact time with pores is short which further reduces any chance of buildup.

Suitable for acne-prone skin in most cases, provided the overall formula is gentle and promptly rinsed.

People who experience persistent breakouts from any sulfated surfactant may still prefer to patch test or choose sulfate-free options, but such reactions are linked to irritation rather than true comedogenicity.

Summary

Disodium Ethylene Dicocamide Peg-15 Disulfate cleanses, conditions hair and boosts foam by pairing coconut-based fatty chains with water-loving sulfate groups. The fatty portion grabs oils and grime while the sulfate end lets everything lift off and rinse away, leaving skin and hair refreshed yet soft.

It is a solid workhorse in mass-market and gentle shampoos, body washes and facial cleansers, though not as famous as sodium laureth sulfate or trendy sulfate-free alternatives. Formulators appreciate its mildness and stable foam which keeps it quietly popular in everyday products.

Safety data and decades of use show a low risk of toxicity or severe irritation when the ingredient is used in rinse-off items. As with any new cosmetic a quick patch test before full use is wise especially for sensitive skin or scalp.

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