Baby Safety / Compounds / Lauramide DEA (lauric acid diethanolamide)

Is Lauramide DEA (lauric acid diethanolamide) safe for babies and kids?

Elevated risk for kids

Infants are exposed to Lauramide DEA (lauric acid diethanolamide) through residues on laundered clothing, baby wipes, and bathing products. Immature skin barrier increases dermal absorption.

What is lauramide dea (lauric acid diethanolamide)?

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

Also known as: N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)dodecanamide, Lauramide DEA, lauric diethanolamide, LDEA.

IUPAC name
N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)dodecanamide
CAS number
120-40-1
Molecular formula
C16H35NO3
Molecular weight
273.46 g/mol
SMILES
C1=NC2=C(N=C(N=C2N1C3C(C(C(O3)COP(=O)(O)OP(=O)(O)OP(=O)(O)O)O)O)Cl)N
PubChem CID
1549

Risk for babies

Elevated risk

Infants are exposed to Lauramide DEA (lauric acid diethanolamide) 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 Lauramide DEA (lauric acid diethanolamide) 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 Lauramide DEA (lauric acid diethanolamide).

AgencyYearClassificationNotes
EU_CLP—Eye Irrit. 2AEU restricts amine ethoxylates; potential nitrosamine contamination 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 lauramide dea (lauric acid diethanolamide)

  • shampoo
  • body wash
  • hand soap
  • bubble bath

Safer alternatives

Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Lauramide DEA (lauric acid diethanolamide):

  • 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: 1.2-2×
  • 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 lauramide dea (lauric acid diethanolamide) safe for kids?

Infants are exposed to Lauramide DEA (lauric acid diethanolamide) through residues on laundered clothing, baby wipes, and bathing products. Immature skin barrier increases dermal absorption.

What products contain lauramide dea (lauric acid diethanolamide)?

Lauramide DEA (lauric acid diethanolamide) appears in: shampoo; body wash; hand soap.

What should I do if my child is exposed to lauramide dea (lauric acid diethanolamide)?

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 Lauramide DEA (lauric acid diethanolamide) in the baby app

Look up products containing lauramide dea (lauric acid diethanolamide), compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.

Open in baby View raw API data

Sources (2)
  1. PubChem Compound CID 1549 — database
  2. ATSDR Toxicological Profile — CAS 120-40-1 — 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 →