What it is
Cocamidopropyl dimethylamine is an amide-linked tertiary amine made from coconut fatty acids and dimethylaminopropylamine. In finished products it helps reduce static and improve the feel and spreadability of formulas, and it is also a building block used to make milder amphoteric surfactants. In sunscreens it typically appears as a minor functional aid rather than an active.
Safety & warnings
As an amine-based conditioning ingredient it is used at low levels and is generally well tolerated. Some leave-on amine ingredients can cause irritation in sensitive individuals at higher concentrations, so patch testing is reasonable for reactive skin. It is not a recognized fragrance allergen.
Origin & sourcing
Semi-synthetic, derived from coconut-sourced fatty acids reacted with an amine.
Questions everyone asks
What is cocamidopropyl dimethylamine used for?
It works as an antistatic and conditioning agent and serves as a precursor in making mild surfactants for cosmetic formulas.
Is it the same as cocamidopropyl betaine?
No. It is a related coconut-derived amine but a distinct ingredient; betaine is an amphoteric surfactant made from a similar starting material.