A coconut fatty acid diisopropanolamide used as a surfactant and thickener, regulated in Annex III.
What it is
Cocamide DIPA is the diisopropanolamide of coconut fatty acids, a non-ionic compound of the fatty acid dialkanolamide type. CosIng lists it as an emulsifying and cleansing surfactant and a viscosity-controlling ingredient. In the EU it is covered by an entry in Annex III (substances subject to restrictions).
Where it is used
Found in a small number of rinse-off products, such as shampoos and shower gels.
Limits of interpretation
The INCI list shows which ingredients are present, not how much of each. Above 1%, ingredients are listed in descending order of weight; below 1% the order is free.
See the EU regulation section for the applicable limits and conditions. The label does not show the concentration actually used.
Functions
- Surfactant – emulsifying
- Helping suspensions or dispersions of liquids in a second liquid by reducing the surface tension of the substances to be emulsified.
- Surfactant – cleansing
- Wetting body surfaces, emulsifying or solubilizing oils, and suspending soil (generally, such ingredients contribute to the foaming and lathering properties of cleansing products).
- Viscosity controlling
- Increasing or decreasing the viscosity (thickness) of cosmetics.
EU regulation
- Maximum concentration
- Maximum secondary amine content: 0.5%
- As of
- 3 November 2026 · (EC) 2009/1223