Selecting the Best Thickener for Your Formulation
At BookChem, we support cosmetic formulators with reliable, high-performance ingredients tailored to personal care innovation. In daily-use products like shampoos, body washes, and facial cleansers, selecting the right thickening agent is critical for achieving optimal texture, foam stability, and user satisfaction.
Three widely used non-ionic thickeners in surfactant systems are Cocamide DEA (CDEA), Cocamide MEA (CMEA), and Cocamidopropylamine MEA (CMMEA). While they share similar functions, each has unique attributes that make it more or less suitable depending on your application needs.
A Quick Comparison of CDEA, CMEA, and CMMEA
1. CDEA (Cocamide DEA)
- Performance: Excellent thickening and foam booster
- Appearance: Amber, viscous liquid
- Usage Level: 1–5%
- Drawback: Contains diethanolamine (DEA), which raises regulatory and safety concerns in some countries due to potential nitrosamine formation
When to use: Only in markets where DEA-based ingredients are permitted and if superior foam boosting is essential.
2. CMEA (Cocamide MEA)
- Performance: Good thickening, less foaming than CDEA
- Appearance: Waxy flakes or pellets
- Usage Level: 0.5–2%
- Advantage: DEA-free and generally recognized as safer
- Formulation Tip: Requires heating to melt and disperse
When to use: In sulfate-based systems or where heat processing is not a limitation.
3. CMMEA (Cocamidopropylamine MEA)
- Performance: Mild thickening, foam stabilizer
- Appearance: Clear to yellowish liquid
- Usage Level: 1–4%
- Advantage: DEA-free, cold-process compatible, enhanced mildness
- Preferred Use: Suitable for children’s products, facial cleansers, and sulfate-free systems
When to use: When formulating gentle, sulfate-free, or eco-friendly cleansers with cold-processing.
How to Choose the Right Thickener
| Feature / Ingredient | CDEA | CMMEA | CMMEA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foaming | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Thickening Power | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
| Mildness | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| DEA-Free | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cold Processing | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Ideal For | Body washes, shampoos | Bar soaps, emulsions | Baby care, sensitive skin |
Why BookChem Thickeners?
At BookChem, we don’t just sell ingredients—we offer scientific guidance and custom support to ensure your product stands out on the shelf. Our thickening agents are:
- Consistently high quality
- Available in eco-conscious and DEA-free options
- Backed by technical data and formulation support
- Compliant with international regulatory standards
Need Help Selecting the Right Thickener?
Whether you’re launching a sulfate-free cleanser or reformulating a shampoo line, our technical experts can help you navigate ingredient selection and achieve the perfect texture and viscosity for your market.
Get in touch with BookChem today to request samples, datasheets, or personalized formulation advice.
