Cocamide MEA

KO-kuh-mide em-ee-ay

Surfactant, Thickener 7/10 Safety Not CGControversial Semi-synthetic Vegan

What Is Cocamide MEA?

A fatty acid amide derived from coconut oil and monoethanolamine. It serves as a foam booster and viscosity builder in shampoos and cleansers.

Source: Coconut oil (chemically modified with MEA)

Origin: Semi-synthetic

Also known as: Coconut Monoethanolamide, Cocamide Monoethanolamine

What Does Cocamide MEA Do to Your Hair?

Boosts and stabilizes foam in shampoos while also thickening the product formula. Helps other surfactants work more effectively and adds a creamy feel to cleansing products.

Best For

All hair types, oily hair

Not Recommended For

Sensitive scalp (at high concentrations)

Concentration Matters

1-5% in shampoos

Hair Type Compatibility

1A Straight Fine
1B Straight Medium
1C Straight Coarse
2A Wavy Fine
2B Wavy Medium
2C Wavy Coarse
3A Curly Loose
3B Curly Tight
3C Curly Corkscrew
4A Coily S-Shaped
4B Coily Z-Shaped
4C Coily Tight

Method Compatibility

Curly Girl (CG) Method: Avoid
CG Avoid

Safety & Regulation

7/10
AvoidCautionSafe

Generally considered safe at typical concentrations. Some concern about potential formation of nitrosamines during manufacturing, though this is controlled in modern production. Less concerning than Cocamide DEA.

FDA Status: Generally Recognized As Safe

FDA permits use in cosmetics. Considered safer than DEA-based alternatives.

EWG Score: 3/10

HairAide Verdict

A common foam booster that is generally safe but not as clean as glucoside-based alternatives. Acceptable in most formulations but those seeking the cleanest ingredients may want to opt for alternatives.

Products That Contain Cocamide MEA

Shampoos, body washes, facial cleansers, bubble baths

Alternatives to Cocamide MEA

If you want to avoid Cocamide MEA, look for products with these ingredients instead:

Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamide MIPA, Decyl Glucoside

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cocamide MEA safe for hair?

Yes, Cocamide MEA has a safety rating of 7/10 and is generally considered safe for use in hair products. Generally considered safe at typical concentrations. Some concern about potential formation of nitrosamines during manufacturing, though this is controlled in modern production. Less concerning than Cocamide DEA.

Is Cocamide MEA bad for curly hair?

Cocamide MEA is not CG-method approved. Curly hair types may want to avoid this ingredient or use products containing it sparingly.

Is Cocamide MEA CG-method approved?

No, Cocamide MEA is not approved for the Curly Girl method.

What can I use instead of Cocamide MEA?

Some alternatives to Cocamide MEA include: Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamide MIPA, Decyl Glucoside

Get Our Free Ingredient Decoder Cheat Sheet

Take the guesswork out of reading product labels. Our printable cheat sheet helps you decode ingredients while you shop.

Check What's In Your Products

Use our free Hair Product Label Analyzer to check any product's ingredient list instantly.

Analyze My Product →