Cocamide DEA

Cocamide DEA suppliers and sourcing guide

Cocamide DEA is a nonionic surfactant made by reacting coconut oil or coconut fatty acids (or their methyl esters) with diethanolamine. It is a viscous amber liquid used to build foam and thicken shampoos, body washes, hand soaps and household cleaners. Commercial grades contain some free diethanolamine and glycerin depending on the process. Brands buy it as an 85 to 100% active liquid in drums.

See suppliers What to ask for on the COA

Category: Cosmetic bases, emollients and surfactants
Also known as: Coconut diethanolamide · Cocamide diethanolamine · Coconut fatty acid diethanolamide · CAS 68603-42-9
Facts checked: November 2026

Forms and grades of cocamide DEA

Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.

1:1 amide (high active)
Made with near-equal amounts of fatty acid ester and diethanolamine, with lower free amine.
2:1 Kritchevsky type
Older type made with excess diethanolamine, with higher free amine content.
Low free-DEA grades
Grades with reduced free diethanolamine and set nitrosamine limits, for markets that restrict them.
Alternatives
Cocamide MEA, cocamide MIPA and other amides are separate ingredients often used to replace cocamide DEA.

What to check on the COA

Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.

Amide content and amine value: Active amide and total amine value by titration.
Free diethanolamine: Free DEA by GC or titration; record it for each lot, since secondary amine limits apply in some markets.
Nitrosamines: N-nitrosodiethanolamine (NDELA) by LC-MS/MS or GC-TEA, reported against the supplier's limit, often in parts per billion.
Free fatty acid and glycerin: Unreacted starting materials and by-products against the supplier's specification.
Color and appearance: APHA or Gardner color and a visual check for clarity or haze; color tends to rise with age and heat.

Storage, lots and expiry

Storage and shelf life

Store in closed, nitrite-free containers at moderate temperature, away from nitrosating agents such as nitrites and certain preservatives. It thickens when cold and is warmed and mixed before use. Shelf life follows the supplier's specification, with a retest of amine value, color and nitrosamines for older stock.

Lots and expiry dates

Free DEA and nitrosamine results vary by lot and process, so record both for every lot and confirm they meet each market's limits. Check whether the product is sold in markets that restrict cocamide DEA or require a warning before choosing it.

Regulatory status

Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.

Health Canada's Natural Health Products Ingredients Database lists cocamide DEA (CAS 68603-42-9) for topical use only, up to 2% in leave-on and up to 7% in rinse-off products when formulated to be non-irritating.
Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)
The same database entry states cocamide DEA should not be used with N-nitrosating systems, should contain less than 50 ppb nitrosamine and a maximum secondary amine content of 0.5%, and should be kept in nitrite-free containers, citing CosIng.
Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)
Health Canada's Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist includes secondary alkyl- and alkanolamines and their salts, naming diethanolamine (DEA), in its list of ingredients prohibited for use in cosmetic products; this entry names free DEA, not cocamide DEA.
Source: canada.ca (opens in a new tab)
FDA's Substances Added to Food inventory lists alkanolamide of coconut oil fatty acids and diethanolamine (CAS 68603-42-9) with the technical effect "processing aid" and cites 21 CFR 173.322.
Source: hfpappexternal.fda.gov (opens in a new tab)

This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.

Cocamide DEA suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.

We are checking cocamide DEA suppliers now

Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.

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Frequently asked questions

What forms of cocamide DEA can brands buy?

Common forms include 1:1 amide (high active), 2:1 Kritchevsky type, low free-DEA grades and alternatives. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.

What should the COA for cocamide DEA include?

Expect amide content and amine value, free diethanolamine, nitrosamines, free fatty acid and glycerin and color and appearance, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.

How should cocamide DEA be stored?

What is the regulatory status of cocamide DEA?

Health Canada's Natural Health Products Ingredients Database lists cocamide DEA (CAS 68603-42-9) for topical use only, up to 2% in leave-on and up to 7% in rinse-off products when formulated to be non-irritating. The same database entry states cocamide DEA should not be used with N-nitrosating systems, should contain less than 50 ppb nitrosamine and a maximum secondary amine content of 0.5%, and should be kept in nitrite-free containers, citing CosIng. Health Canada's Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist includes secondary alkyl- and alkanolamines and their salts, naming diethanolamine (DEA), in its list of ingredients prohibited for use in cosmetic products; this entry names free DEA, not cocamide DEA. FDA's Substances Added to Food inventory lists alkanolamide of coconut oil fatty acids and diethanolamine (CAS 68603-42-9) with the technical effect "processing aid" and cites 21 CFR 173.322.

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