Baby Safety / Compounds / Cocamide DEA

Is Cocamide DEA safe for babies and kids?

Elevated risk for kids

Infants are exposed to Cocamide DEA through residues on laundered clothing, baby wipes, and bathing products. Immature skin barrier increases dermal absorption.

What is cocamide dea?

The IUPAC name is N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl) cocamide.

Also known as: N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl) cocamide, coconut fatty acid diethanolamide, CDEA.

IUPAC name
N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl) cocamide
CAS number
68603-42-9
Molecular formula
C8-C18H35-51NO3 (mixture)
Molecular weight
321.4 g/mol
SMILES
CC1=CC=C(C=C1)C2=NN3C(=O)CC(SC3=N2)C4=CC=CC=C4
PubChem CID
51401892

Risk for babies

Elevated risk

Infants are exposed to Cocamide DEA through residues on laundered clothing, baby wipes, and bathing products. Immature skin barrier increases dermal absorption.

Neonates and infants up to 12 months have incomplete blood-brain barrier development, immature Phase I/II metabolic enzymes (particularly CYP3A4, UGT1A1), and higher gastrointestinal permeability. Equivalent doses produce higher internal concentrations and longer residence times.

What to do: Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.

Risk for pregnant and nursing people

Context-dependent

Prenatal exposure to Cocamide DEA through consumer products may affect fetal development. Surfactant compounds can enhance dermal absorption of co-occurring chemicals during pregnancy.

No specific reproductive toxicity data identified, but pregnancy-specific safety data is limited for most chemicals. Precautionary minimization of exposure is recommended.

What to do: Minimize exposure during pregnancy and lactation. Consult healthcare provider regarding specific risks. Consider alternative products with lower hazard profiles.

Regulatory consensus

1 regulatory bodyhas classified Cocamide DEA.

AgencyYearClassificationNotes
EU_CLP—Eye Irrit. 2AEU restricts secondary amine ethoxylates; potential N-nitrosamine impurity concern

Regulators apply different standards of evidence — animal-data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds — which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. The disagreement is the data.

Where kids encounter cocamide dea

  • shampoo
  • body wash
  • hand soap
  • facial cleanser

Safer alternatives

Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Cocamide DEA:

  • Alkyl polyglucosides (APGs) — plant-derived, very mild (e.g., decyl glucoside)
    Trade-offs: Consumer preference for 'natural' label; many natural fragrance compounds are potent allergens (limonene, linalool, eugenol); 'natural' ≠ 'safe'; often more expensive than synthetic equivalents.
    Relative cost: 2-5× conventional
  • Amino acid-based surfactants (e.g., sodium lauroyl glutamate, sodium cocoyl glycinate)
    Trade-offs: Extremely mild (pH 5.5-6.5); biodegradable; derived from amino acids and fatty acids; premium ingredient cost; excellent consumer perception; lower foam volume than sulfate surfactants.
    Relative cost: 1.2-2×
  • Sodium cocoyl isethionate (SCI) — low irritation potential, solid surfactant
    Trade-offs: Alternative surfactant; performance characteristics (foaming, emulsification, wetting) vary; biodegradability and aquatic toxicity should be assessed; formulation adjustment may be needed.
    Relative cost: 1.2-2×
  • Amphoteric surfactants (e.g., cocamidopropyl betaine) — milder than anionic types
    Trade-offs: Removes 95-99% of dissolved contaminants including metals, PFAS, nitrates; wastes 2-4 gallons per gallon produced (improving with newer systems); removes beneficial minerals; $0.05-0.25/gallon; requires pre-treatment for longevity.
    Relative cost: 1.2-2×

Frequently asked questions

Is cocamide dea safe for kids?

Infants are exposed to Cocamide DEA through residues on laundered clothing, baby wipes, and bathing products. Immature skin barrier increases dermal absorption.

What products contain cocamide dea?

Cocamide DEA appears in: shampoo; body wash; hand soap.

What should I do if my child is exposed to cocamide dea?

Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.

See Cocamide DEA in the baby app

Look up products containing cocamide dea, compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.

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Sources (2)
  1. PubChem Compound CID 51401892 — database
  2. ATSDR Toxicological Profile — CAS 68603-42-9 — reference

Reference data, not professional advice. Aggregates publicly available regulatory and scientific data; not a substitute for veterinary, medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Why we built ALETHEIA →