Skip to main content

ASK DR. DESAI ~Tips for buying green personal care products

This is the sixth in a series of articles on ingredients that you need to avoid in personal care products. Millions of consumers use products such as sunscreens, moisturizers and shampoos every day, yet many remain unaware of the potential dangers in some of the ingredients.

This month, I will review a class of compounds called Diethanolamine or DEA compounds.

What is Diethanolamine or DEA compounds?

Diethanolamine is chemical that can be a colorless powder or liquid with a slight ammonia-like odor.

What is the purpose of Diethanolamine or DEA compounds in personal care products?

Diethanolamine or DEA compounds such cocamide and lauramide DEA is used to make personal care products creamy or sudzy. DEA is also used in pH adjustments to counteract the acidity of other ingredients.

What kind of products are Diethanolamine or DEA compounds found in?

Diethanolamine or DEA compounds are found in moisturizers, sunscreens, soaps, cleansers or shampoos. It may also be used in industrial products as an anticorrosive agent.

What health risks are associated with Diethanolamine or DEA compounds?

DEA compounds can react with nitrites in cosmetics to form nitrosamines, which the International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified as a possible human carcinogen. In addtion, DEA has been shown to be a skin and eye irritant. The European Union Cosmetics Directive restricts the concentration and use of cocamide and lauramide DEA in cosmetics. The EU Cosmetics Directive also limits the maximum nitrosamine concentration in products containing these ingredients. According to the EPA’s hazard summary created on DEA in 1990: “animal studies have reported effects on the liver, kidney, blood, and central nervous system (CNS) from chronic oral exposure to diethanolamine. In addition, the National Toxicology Program (NTP) reported an increased incidence of liver and kidney tumors in mice from dermal exposure to diethanolamine. EPA has not classified diethanolamine for carcinogenicity.” The Danish Environmental Protection Agency has classified cocamide DEA as hazardous to the environment because of its acute toxicity to aquatic organisms and potential for bioaccumulation.

So the next time you buy moisturizers, creams, shampoos or other products, try and choose formulas that are DEA or DEA compound free. Stay tuned for the next monthly installation of this series to learn about what else you need to be on the lookout for and avoid. Dr. Vinay Desai is a naturalist and a pharmaceutical scientist with a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences. Through community awareness programs, Dr. Desai has helped educate people in the sustainable practices of using solar power and green personal care products.

Do you have a question about natural personal care products? Please send your questions to [email protected] or call 908-236-6742. For more information, visit DrDesaiSoap.com.

Local Insights

 

 

Upcoming Events Near You
The Tick Tackler Tutor: Three Impactful Tick Remediation Strategies for the Homeowner

By Jennifer Meisenbacher

Did you know most tick bites occur in and around the home—and that ticks spend more than 95% of their life off a host?

With more than 19 years of field experience, Tick Tackler offers a practical, easy-to-follow approach that empowers homeowners to significantly reduce tick activity on their properties. From gardening and yard work to children’s play areas, this guide outlines essential adjustments to help protect your outdoor spaces from ticks.

The Tick Tackler Tutor introduces three impactful strategies designed to identify high-risk areas and minimize exposure. These methods are versatile and adaptable—whether you’re a homeowner, pet owner, beekeeper, or managing a larger property such as a doggy daycare or horse farm.

Inside, readers will discover how education leads to confidence, how small changes can yield visible results, and how breaking tick control into manageable steps restores a sense of control. The book simplifies complex concepts into three core strategies, guiding readers in creating a personalized plan to reduce tick activity effectively.

For those eager to reclaim their yards but unsure where to begin, this guide delivers clear, actionable solutions. Transform your outdoor environment into a safer, more enjoyable space for family, pets, and everyday living.

Available now on Amazon.

Follow Us On Facebook