Corinne Carefully Comments:
What exactly is DEA (diethanolamine)? I remember hearing some really bad things about it a couple of years ago, and now I hear almost nothing. I also seem to not find it in the ingredient lists for my shampoos, hand soaps and body washes as much anymore. What happened to it and what’s replaced it in those formulas?
The Right Brain Responds Regulatorily:
Diethanolamine (DEA for short) is a chemical that’s part of a type of foam boosting ingredient and thickener (We fondly recall college parties where we were swept away in a tsunami of DEA-drenched foam. But we digress…)
DEA is commonly found in many shampoos, bodywashes and shower gels – or at least it WAS commonly found until a few years ago. This was one of the ingredients that had a cancer scare associated with it. Although the data was never scientifically validated, the bad press scared enough major manufacturers so much that they removed it from their formulas entirely. Today, few of the major brands use DEA.
However, the DEA controversy continues to rage on. A press release from University of North Carolina, dated August, 2006 , claims that DEA interfers with brain development in pregnant mice. According to the authors, more work is needed to determine how real world exposure to DEA could negatively impact the users health.
The Brain’s Bottom Line:
Is DEA bad? From a scientific perspective, additional studies are needed to confirm this theory. But if it concerns you on a personal level, check the ingredient lists on the products you buy and and stay away from DEA.
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