CDEA Surfactant in Detergent Formulas: Performance Benefits, Dosage & Supplier Guide

Struggling with Thin Formulas or Unstable Foam? CDEA Is the Fix You’re Looking For

CDEA surfactant plays a critical role in modern detergent and personal care formulations. If your liquid detergent or personal care formula feels too thin, loses foam too quickly, or shows instability over time, the issue is rarely your primary surfactant. In most cases, the missing piece is a well-selected co-surfactant—specifically CDEA (Cocamide Diethanolamine).

CDEA is not just a thickener. It improves viscosity, stabilizes foam, enhances mildness, and helps you reduce formulation costs when used correctly. At Watercare Chemical, we supply high-quality CDEA and help manufacturers apply it efficiently—so you get consistent performance, batch after batch.

Looking for a stable CDEA supplier or technical guidance? Our team supports detergent and personal care manufacturers worldwide.

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What Is CDEA Surfactant—and Why It Matters in Your Formula

CDEA is a non-ionic alkanolamide surfactant derived from coconut oil fatty acids and diethanolamine. It is commonly known as Cocamide DEA, a compound widely documented in chemical literature and regulatory databases such as Wikipedia

Unlike primary anionic surfactants such as SLES and LABSA, CDEA does not deliver the main detergency. Instead, it makes the entire surfactant system work better.

If your current formulation relies heavily on salt for thickening or struggles with foam collapse under grease, CDEA is often the most cost-effective correction.

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How CDEA Improves Performance (and Reduces Your Headaches)

1. Builds Viscosity Without Overloading Salt

Overusing sodium chloride may thicken your product, but it often causes long-term instability. CDEA increases viscosity synergistically with anionic surfactants, helping you achieve a rich, premium texture with better formulation stability.

2. Produces Rich, Long-Lasting Foam

Consumers associate foam with cleaning power. CDEA stabilizes foam structure, preventing rapid collapse—especially in dishwashing liquids and degreasers where oil load is high.

3. Improves Oil Emulsification

CDEA helps emulsify greasy soils and keeps them suspended in water, improving overall cleaning efficiency in laundry detergents and industrial cleaners.

4. Adds Mildness to Personal Care Products

For shampoos and body washes, CDEA reduces the harshness of anionic surfactants, leaving a smoother skin and hair feel—without compromising foam or cleaning power.

Not sure how much CDEA your formula needs? We can help you calculate an effective dosage based on your surfactant system.

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CDEA vs. CMEA: Which Is Better for Your Production Line?

Both CDEA and CMEA are effective alkanolamides, but the choice often depends on processing conditions:

• CDEA: Liquid form, ideal for cold-process manufacturing, easy handling, lower energy cost.
• CMEA: Solid flakes, stronger thickening effect, but requires heating and more process control.

For most liquid detergent manufacturers, CDEA is the practical and cost-efficient choice. Watercare Chemical supplies both options and can advise which fits your production setup best.

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Typical Surfactant System: SLES + LABSA + CDEA

A proven detergent formulation strategy combines three surfactants:

• LABSA: Strong degreasing and soil removal
• SLES: Fast foaming and primary cleaning
• CDEA: Foam stabilization and viscosity control

By adjusting the ratio of these ingredients, manufacturers can target different market segments—from economy detergents to premium formulations. Our technical team can help you optimize this balance.

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Why CDEA Quality Matters More Than Price

Low-quality CDEA may save cost upfront but often leads to discoloration, odor, or viscosity drift. Key quality indicators include controlled free amine content, light color, and consistent batch performance.

Watercare Chemical supplies CDEA with strict quality control, designed to meet international safety standards and deliver predictable results in your formulations.

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Why Manufacturers Choose Watercare Chemical

• Stable Supply: Reliable export volumes for long-term cooperation
• Technical Support: Formulation guidance, dosage advice, and product selection
• Competitive Pricing: Direct sourcing with consistent quality
• Global Experience: Serving customers across Asia, Middle East, Africa, and Latin America

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Request TDS, Sample, or Quotation

If you are evaluating CDEA suppliers or optimizing an existing formula, we are ready to support you. Contact us to request a TDS, free sample, or quotation tailored to your application.

Get CDEA Price & Technical Support

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Final Note

CDEA is not a commodity—it is a performance lever. With the right quality and correct application, it can dramatically improve foam, viscosity, and user experience. Partnering with Watercare Chemical means you gain both a reliable supplier and a technical ally.