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Stearamide MEA is a waxy, white, synthetic amide used primarily in personal care products and cosmetics (e.g., shampoos, conditioners) as an antistatic agent, viscosity controller, and foam booster.
Stearamide MEA improves texture, stabilizes formulas, and acts as a hair conditioning agent to soften and manage hair.
Stearamide MEA is a fatty acid amide derived from stearic acid and monoethanolamine, commonly used as a surfactant, foam stabilizer, and viscosity enhancer in cosmetic and personal-care formulations.
CAS Number: 111-57-9
Molecular Formula: C20H41NO2
Molecular Weight: 327.55
EINECS Number: 203-883-2
Synonyms: 111-57-9, N-stearoylethanolamine, Stearic ethanolamide, N-(Hydroxyethyl)stearamide, OCTADECANAMIDE, N-(2-HYDROXYETHYL)-, Monoethanolamine stearic acid amide, 03XV449Q24, DTXSID9042178, RefChem:825493, DTXCID7022178, Stearoyl ethanolamide, Stearoylethanolamide, N-(2-Hydroxyethyl)stearamide, Stearamide MEA, Stearic monoethanolamide, Stearic acid monoethanolamide, Stearamyl, Stearoyl-ethanolamine, Cycloamide SM, Comperlan HS, Stearoylmonoethanolamide, Stearoylethanolamine, Stearic ethylolamide, Marlamid M 18, Ceramid, Clindrol 200-MS, Loramine S 280, Stearic monoethanolamine, Stearoyl-EA, Stearoyl monoethanolamide, N-(octadecanoyl)ethanolamine, NSC 3377, N-(Octadecanoyl)-ethanolamine, CHEMBL171447, NSC-3377, MFCD00045971, 8038-89-9, Mackamide SMA, Monamid S, UNII-03XV449Q24, Amidex SME, Witcamide 70, EINECS 203-883-2, Alkamide S-280, INCROMIDE SMEA, Rewomid S 280, 1:1 Stearamide MEA, octadecanoyl ethanolamide, N-octadecanoylethanolamine, Stearic Acid Ethanolamide, N-octadecanoyl ethanolamine, Stearamide-MEA (1:1), EC 203-883-2, N-(otadecanoyl)-ethanolamine, SCHEMBL50178, GTPL3621, orb1707816, N-(2-hydroxyethyl)stearoylamide, CHEBI:85299, NSC3377, STEARAMIDE MONOETHANOLAMINE, Stearamide, N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-, HMS3649H17, N-(2-Hydroxyethyl)-octadecanamide, NAE 18:0, NSC52619, BDBM50074620, EBC-12042, LMFA08040051, NAE(18:0), NSC-52619, STL454871, AKOS002676465, FS171406, MS-24898, SEA, Octadecanoic acid (2-hydroxy-ethyl)-amide, DB-040991, HY-113015, Stearoyl ethanolamide, >=98%, crystalline, CS-0059359, NS00003181, G12117, EN300-18537220, SR-01000946662, SR-01000946662-1, Q15427850, Z3222444503, n-(2-hydroxyethyl)-octadecanamid;CERAMID;STEAROYL ETHANOLAMIDE;STEARIC ACID ETHANOLAMIDE;STEARIC ACID MONOETHANOLAMIDE;N-(2-hydroxyethyl)stearamide;STEARAMIDE MEA;Octadecanamide, N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-
Stearamide MEA belongs to the class of fatty acid alkanolamides.
These compounds are widely used in cleansing products.
Chemically, stearamide MEA is formed by the reaction of stearic acid with monoethanolamine (MEA).
The molecule contains a long hydrophobic stearyl chain and a polar ethanolamide group.
This amphiphilic structure allows surface-active behavior.
Physically, stearamide MEA typically appears as a white to off-white waxy solid or flakes.
Stearamide MEA has low solubility in water but disperses in surfactant systems.
It melts when heated and can be incorporated into liquid formulations.
Stearamide MEA functions primarily as a foam stabilizer.
Stearamide MEA enhances foam richness and persistence in surfactant-based products.
This property is especially important in shampoos and body washes.
The compound also acts as a viscosity modifier and thickening agent.
Stearamide MEA helps increase the thickness of liquid cleansing products.
This improves product texture and handling.
Stearamide MEA contributes conditioning and emollient properties.
Stearamide MEA helps create a smooth, creamy feel in formulations.
This enhances the sensory experience of personal-care products.
The ingredient is compatible with many surfactants, including anionic and nonionic types.
It performs well across a typical cosmetic pH range.
This makes it suitable for a variety of formulations.
Stearamide MEA is best described as a fatty acid ethanolamide used as a foam stabilizer, viscosity modifier, and conditioning agent, particularly in shampoos, liquid soaps, and other cleansing products.
Stearamide MEA can produce a creamy or pearly appearance in liquid products.
This enhances the visual appeal of the product.
Because of its fatty chain structure, stearamide MEA provides lubricating properties.
This helps improve slip during washing.
Stearamide MEA contributes to smoother hair and skin feel.
Stearamide MEA may interact with surfactant micelles to create lamellar or structured liquid phases.
These structures help trap water and increase thickness.
This rheological behavior is useful in personal-care formulations.
The ingredient is typically used at low concentrations, where it can significantly influence foam and viscosity.
Higher levels may alter clarity or product texture.
Formulators adjust concentration depending on product type.
Stearamide MEA is a functional surfactant additive that enhances foam quality, formulation stability, viscosity, and sensory performance in cleansing and personal-care products.
Melting point: 103–104 °C (Solvent: ethanol, CAS 64-17-5)
Boiling point: 486.0 ± 28.0 °C (Predicted)
Density: 0.904 ± 0.06 g/cm³ (Predicted)
Vapor pressure: 0 Pa at 20 °C
Storage temperature: −20 °C
Solubility: DMF >2 mg/mL; DMSO >100 μg/mL; Ethanol >2 mg/mL; PBS (pH 7.2) >100 μg/mL
Form: Crystalline
pKa: 14.49 ± 0.10 (Predicted)
Color: White to light yellow
Water solubility: 1 mg/L at 20 °C
Cosmetics ingredients functions: Viscosity controlling; Surfactant – foam boosting; Antistatic
InChI: InChI=1S/C20H41NO2/c1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-20(23)21-18-19-22/h22H,2-19H2,1H3,(H,21,23)
InChIKey: OTGQIQQTPXJQRG-UHFFFAOYSA-N
SMILES: C(NCCO)(=O)CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC
LogP: 4.46 at 20 °C
Stearamide MEA is supplied as off white to yellow flakes.
Stearamide MEA is used for foam boosting and viscosity controlling.
Stearamide MEA is often used as a secondary surfactant in cleansing formulations.
Stearamide MEA does not act as the primary cleaning agent but enhances the performance of other surfactants.
This improves the overall quality of foam and product texture.
The compound contributes to foam creaminess and density rather than foam volume alone.
Stearamide MEA helps create a richer, more stable foam structure.
This effect is highly valued in shampoos and body washes.
Stearamide MEA can help reduce irritation potential of strong surfactants.
By modifying micelle structure, it may moderate the harshness of certain detergents.
This contributes to milder cleansing formulations.
The ingredient also improves product stability during storage.
It helps maintain uniform viscosity and prevents phase separation.
This supports long shelf life in liquid formulations.
In some formulations, stearamide MEA contributes to opacifying and pearlizing effects.
Stearamide MEA belongs to the family of alkanolamides derived from fatty acids.
These compounds are commonly used in surfactant systems to improve product performance.
They help stabilize foam and enhance formulation texture.
The long C18 Stearamide MEA chain provides strong hydrophobic character.
This allows the molecule to associate with surfactant micelles.
As a result, it improves foam stability and viscosity.
In aqueous surfactant solutions, stearamide MEA can form structured micellar systems.
These structures increase the thickness of the formulation.
This behavior is often used to adjust the viscosity of shampoos and cleansers.
The compound also contributes to pearlescent and creamy appearance in certain formulations.
It helps create a rich visual texture in liquid personal-care products.
This improves product aesthetics.
Stearamide MEA can enhance the conditioning feel on hair and skin.
The fatty chain deposits lightly on surfaces.
This helps reduce dryness after cleansing.
The ingredient is usually incorporated during heated processing steps because it melts and disperses more easily at elevated temperatures.
Once cooled, it contributes to product structure and stability.
This supports manufacturing consistency.
Stearamide MEA is generally stable across typical cosmetic pH ranges used in cleansing formulations.
It performs well with common surfactants such as sulfates and sulfonates.
This compatibility simplifies formulation design.
Because it is derived from fatty acids and ethanolamine, stearamide MEA is sometimes considered a synthetic derivative of naturally occurring fatty materials.
Its performance depends on concentration and the type of surfactant system used.
Stearamide MEA is a multifunctional surfactant additive that improves foam stability, viscosity, and sensory properties in cleansing formulations.
Uses:
Stearamide MEA is a prolific fatty acid ethanolamide produced by PLD hydrolysis of membrane phospholipids.
Stearamide MEA is also used for studying the effect on endocannabinoid signalling and BBB integrity in systemic inflammation.
Stearamide MEA is widely used in shampoos as a foam stabilizer and viscosity enhancer.
It improves the richness and stability of foam during washing.
Stearamide MEA also helps create a thicker, more luxurious product texture.
In body washes and shower gels, stearamide MEA is used to enhance foam creaminess.
Stearamide MEA produces a dense and stable lather.
This improves the cleansing experience and sensory feel.
Stearamide MEA is used in liquid soaps and hand cleansers to increase viscosity and foam quality.
It helps maintain a consistent product texture.
This supports stable and visually appealing formulations.
In facial cleansers, it acts as a secondary surfactant and foam stabilizer.
Stearamide MEA enhances mild cleansing while maintaining smooth foam.
This contributes to improved product performance.
Stearamide MEA is used in hair-care formulations, including conditioning shampoos.
It helps improve hair feel after washing.
Stearamide MEA may also enhance the distribution of conditioning agents.
In bubble baths, the ingredient improves foam stability and longevity.
Stearamide MEA helps maintain foam structure during use.
This provides a richer bathing experience.
Stearamide MEA is used in cosmetic creams and lotions as a thickening and emulsifying aid.
It helps stabilize emulsions and improve product texture.
This contributes to smoother application.
In pearlescent cosmetic formulations, it may be used to enhance visual appearance.
It can contribute to creamy or pearl-like effects in liquid products.
This improves aesthetic appeal.
Stearamide MEA is also used in industrial and specialty cleaning products as a foam stabilizer.
It helps maintain foam and viscosity in detergent formulations.
This supports effective cleaning performance.
Stearamide MEA is used wherever foam stabilization, viscosity control, and improved texture are required, especially in shampoos, liquid soaps, body washes, and other cleansing products.
Stearamide MEA is used in 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner formulations to improve foam quality while supporting conditioning performance.
Stearamide MEA helps maintain a creamy texture even in complex surfactant systems.
This enhances both cleansing and sensory properties.
In cream cleansers and cleansing creams, stearamide MEA acts as a thickening and stabilizing agent.
It improves product body and consistency.
This supports smooth application on the skin.
It is used in hair treatment and repair shampoos to enhance texture and manageability.
The fatty chain provides a light conditioning effect.
This helps improve hair softness after washing.
Stearamide MEA is applied in liquid detergent and specialty cleaning formulations to stabilize foam.
It improves foam persistence during washing.
This contributes to more effective cleaning performance.
In pearlized shampoo and body wash formulations, stearamide MEA helps maintain uniform dispersion of pearlizing agents.
It supports stable product appearance.
This enhances visual appeal.
It is used in men’s grooming products, such as beard washes and shaving cleansers.
It improves foam density and lubrication during use.
This contributes to smoother grooming performance.
Stearamide MEA may also be used in bath products such as foaming bath gels.
It helps maintain stable foam during extended contact with water.
This improves the bathing experience.
In cosmetic emulsions and personal-care gels, it functions as a secondary emulsifying and viscosity-building agent.
It helps maintain uniform texture and ingredient distribution.
Stearamide MEA is used wherever enhanced foam stability, viscosity control, product texture, and mild conditioning effects are required in cleansing and personal-care formulations.
Safety Profile:
Stearamide MEA is generally considered to have low to moderate hazard potential when used in cosmetic and cleaning formulations at typical concentrations.
However, handling of the raw material requires standard safety precautions.
Potential risks are mainly related to irritation.
Skin contact may cause mild irritation, particularly with prolonged exposure to concentrated material.
Symptoms may include redness or dryness.
Protective gloves are recommended during bulk handling.
Eye contact can cause irritation and discomfort.
Exposure may result in redness, tearing, or burning sensation.
Eyes should be rinsed thoroughly with water if contact occurs.
Inhalation risk is generally low, since the material is usually handled as flakes or waxy solid.
However, dust generated during processing may irritate the respiratory tract.
Proper ventilation should be maintained.
Ingestion may cause gastrointestinal irritation.
Symptoms can include nausea or stomach discomfort if large amounts are swallowed.
Stearamide MEA is not intended for oral consumption except in controlled formulations.
Stearamide MEA is not highly flammable, but it can burn if exposed to strong heat or open flame.
Thermal decomposition may produce carbon oxides and nitrogen-containing fumes.
Standard fire safety measures should be followed.
The material is chemically stable under normal storage conditions.
Stearamide MEA should be stored in tightly sealed containers and protected from excessive heat and moisture.
