Stearamine

What Is It?

Lauramine and Stearamine are aliphatic amines. In cosmetics and personal care products, Lauramine and Stearamine have been used in hair preparations.

Why Is It Used?

Lauramine and Stearamine prevent or inhibit the buildup of static electricity.

Scientific Facts

Lauramine and Stearamine are also reported to have antimicrobial properties.

Safety Information

The safety of Lauramine and Stearamine has been assessed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel. The CIR Expert Panel reviewed the scientific data and concluded that the data were insufficient to support the use of these ingredients in cosmetics and personal care products.

CIR Safety Review: Feeding studies of high doses of Stearmine has resulted in changes in the mucosa of the small intestines, although no carcinogenic effects were observed at dietary concentrations up to 500 ppm in a 2-year study. Undiluted Lauramine was a dermal irritant. Little additional data were identified, leading the CIR Expert Panel to conclude that the data were insufficient to assess the safety of these ingredients as used in cosmetic and personal care products. Additional information requested included use information, impurities (especially nitrosamine content), genotoxicity data and dermal irritation and sensitization data in humans.

More information about nitrosamines.

In the European Union, monalkylamines including Lauramine and Stearamine, and monoalkanolamines and their salts may be used if the maximum secondary amine content is limited to 0.5% in the finished products, if the ingredient has a maximum purity of 99%, with a secondary amine concent of 0.5% or less, and a maximum nitrosamine content of 50 microg/kg.

These ingredients must not be used with nitrosating systems and they must be kept in nitrite-free containers (see Annex III). Ingredients of animal origin must comply with European Union animal by-products regulations.

Link to the EU Cosmetic Regulation:
http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/consumers/product_labelling_and_p…

More Scientific Information

Other names for Stearamine include 1-octadecanamine, octadecylamine and stearyl amine. Other names for Lauramine include 1-dodecanamine, dodecylamine and lauryl amine.