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RICINOLEAMIDE DEA.

Valuable CAS 40716-42-5 / ANTISTATIC, SURFACTANT - CLEANSING, SURFACTANT - FOAM BOOSTING, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING

Ricinoleamide DEA is a versatile fatty acid diethanolamide functioning as a surfactant, foam booster, and emulsifier. It enhances product texture and stability by improving foam generation, controlling viscosity, and preventing phase separation.

Summary

Surfactant Foam Booster Viscosity Increasing Agent Antistatic Agent Emulsifying Agent Skin Conditioning Agent

Science

Mechanism of Action

Operating as a surfactant, Ricinoleamide DEA reduces surface tension, enabling the uniform dispersion of immiscible liquids to stabilize emulsions. It additionally optimizes product texture by boosting foam, modulating viscosity, and imparting antistatic properties. The ingredient can also serve as a pH adjuster within cosmetic systems.

Research

Clinical Evidence

Low confidence
Effective range N/A
Optimal

N/A

Transparency

Dusting Analysis

Not commonly dusted

The Formula

Formulation

Solubility
Both
Optimal pH 6 – 9
0 7 14

Stability

Ricinoleamide DEA is stable within neutral, moderately alkaline, or moderately acidic systems. However, its stability is compromised by high concentrations of strong mineral acids or alkalis, which can induce hydrolysis and should be avoided.

Conflicts

  • Nitrosating agents/systems, due to the potential formation of carcinogenic N-nitroso compounds.
  • High concentrations of strong mineral acids or alkalis, which can lead to hydrolysis.

Safety

Safety Profile

CIR Status
Safe with restrictions
Max tested
10%
Sensitization risk Moderate

The CIR Expert Panel concluded Ricinoleamide DEA is safe under current use and concentration practices when formulated to be non-irritating and when free diethanolamine (DEA) levels do not exceed safe limits. It must not be used in products where N-nitroso compounds can form. European Cosmetics Directive (Annex III) restricts fatty acid dialkanolamides, including Ricinoleamide DEA, to a maximum secondary amine content of 0.5% in the finished product (5% in raw materials), a maximum nitrosamine content of 50 µg/kg, and mandates storage in nitrite-free containers. It is explicitly prohibited for use with nitrosating systems. For leave-on cosmetic products, a maximum concentration of approximately 10% is considered safe, provided free DEA levels are rigorously controlled.

Your Skin

Skin Compatibility

No Normal
No Dry
No Oily
No Sensitive
Irritancy Unknown
Comedogenicity Unknown

Our Assessment

Verdict

Valuable

Ricinoleamide DEA is a functionally valuable ingredient for texture enhancement and emulsion stability in rinse-off and leave-on products, requiring stringent formulation controls to manage free diethanolamine levels and prevent nitrosamine formation.

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