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Answer: Cocamide DEA is restricted (not fully banned) in European Union. The FDA still allows it in US cosmetics and personal-care products. Risk level: high. Commonly found in: shampoo, liquid soap, bubble bath.
TL;DR: Cocamide DEA is restricted in the EU but allowed in the US (carcinogens, mutagens & reproductive toxicants).
Reviewed for clarity & usefulness by the BannedPantry Parent Panel
INCI name Cocamide DEA. CAS 68603-42-9.
| EU status | Restricted |
|---|---|
| US status | Allowed |
| Risk level | high |
| Where it shows up | shampoo, liquid soap, bubble bath |
| CAS number | 68603-42-9 |
Cocamide DEA (Cocamide DEA) is a coconut-derived foaming agent.
It is used for its preservative, coloring, fragrance, solvent or texture-enhancing function.
Classified a possible carcinogen by IARC; the EU restricts it over nitrosamine formation.
For educational use only. This page summarizes the regulatory status of Cocamide DEAwith citations to the primary sources below. It is not medical advice. Regulatory status is not the same as a proven health effect — read the cited sources for their exact wording, and consult a doctor for decisions about your or your family's health.
Choose EU-compliant or 'free-from' formulations and read the INCI list. BannedPantry flags this ingredient and suggests safer swaps.
Cocamide DEA is restricted under the EU Cosmetics Regulation (1223/2009), but it is allowed in US personal-care products.
Yes — Cocamide DEA can still appear in US-sold cosmetics and personal-care products because US rules are far less restrictive than the EU's.
Read the INCI ingredient list on the back of the package. Scan the barcode with BannedPantry to flag Cocamide DEA automatically.
Yes. Look for EU-compliant or 'free-from' formulations; BannedPantry suggests safer swaps when it detects Cocamide DEA.
Scan any product's barcode and instantly see if it contains Cocamide DEA or other ingredients banned overseas.
Scan a product free →Our scores are never influenced by brands. Last updated 6/11/2026.