Common Name(s): Tallamide dea,tall oil dea amide,tall oil fatty acid diethanolamide
CAS Number: 68155-20-4
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Boosts foam and thickness in cleansing products while adding a conditioning feel.
Why It's Used: Used in shampoos and liquid soaps as a co-surfactant and foam booster; tall oil origin gives a mixed fatty acid profile (oleic + linoleic + palmitic).
How It Works: Dea amide group stabilizes foam films via hydrogen bonding; c18 unsaturated tall oil chains provide good emollience; viscosity increase via micellar reinforcement.
Typically Found In: Shampoos,liquid soaps,body washes,industrial cleaners
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient – surfactant
Secondary Functions: Foam boosting,viscosity controlling,emollient
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 1%–5%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes
Halal Status: Conditional – tall oil source
Source Notes: Tall oil fatty acids from pine pulp processing (pinus spp.); semi-synthetic dea amide; rspo-equivalent sourcing for tall oil varies.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 2/5 – low-moderate
Comedogenicity Rating: 1/5 – low
Sensitivity Concerns: Dea-based amides carry concerns of potential nitrosamine formation (ndela) when combined with nitrosating agents; formulate without nitrosating agents. eu restricts max nitrosamine levels.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Conditional – avoid nitrosating co-ingredients
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Moderate safety profile. dea nitrosamine concern: formulate carefully. ewg score: 3–5.
Works Well With: Anionic surfactants,amphoteric surfactants
Avoid Combining With: Avoid nitrosating agents (formaldehyde donors, sodium nitrite derivatives) – risk of ndela formation
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Tallamide dea is a fatty acid diethanolamide from tall oil; same dea nitrosamine concern applies as to cocamide dea and other dea amides; eu cosmetics regulation restricts dea compound use with nitrosating agents.
Last Verified: 2026-03-27
Primary Sources: Cosing database,inci dictionary,cas 68155-20-4,eu cosmetics regulation dea restrictions