A diethanolamide of oleic acid, used as a foam booster and thickener and regulated in Annex III.
What it is
Oleamide DEA is N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)oleamide, the diethanolamide of oleic acid, a non-ionic surfactant. CosIng lists it as an antistatic, foam-boosting and viscosity-controlling ingredient. In the EU it is covered by an entry in Annex III (substances subject to restrictions).
Where it is used
Appears on the ingredient lists of a small number of products.
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 conditions, which include a limit on secondary amine content.
Functions
- Antistatic
- Preventing and/or reducing static electricity by neutralising electrical charge on surfaces.
- Surfactant – foam boosting
- Increasing foaming capacity and/or stabilize foams in general.
- Viscosity controlling
- Increasing or decreasing the viscosity (thickness) of cosmetics.
EU regulation
EU · Annex III, entry 60Fatty acid dialkylamides and dialkanolamides
- Maximum concentration
- Maximum secondary amine content: 0.5%
- As of
- 3 November 2026 · (EC) 2009/1223