Isostearamide MEA

AKA: 54536-43-5, N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-isostearamide
Plant-Derived
Cleanser
Plant Oil
Not Clean
Isooctadecanamide, N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-
Formula
C20H41NO2
Mol. Weight
327.50
CAS #
54536-43-5
Form
Liquid
Functions
Antistatic
Cleansing
Makes oil and water mix so dirt, makeup, and sunscreen can actually be washed away. The reason your face wash foams.
Foam Boosting
Viscosity Controlling
Reduces Static
Cleansing Surfactant
Boosts Lather
Controls Viscosity
Enhances lather
Lifts away dirt and oil
Reduces flyaways
Controls product thickness
Traditional Use
Synthetic surfactant and emulsifying agent developed as a cleansing and conditioning agent in contemporary cosmetics. Part of the broader category of fatty acid derivatives created to replace harsher older ingredients.
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Caution
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Status
USApermitted
EUrestricted
JAPANrestricted
CANADArestricted
Skin Types
all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewednone on file
⚖️Regulatory1 listing
🛡️Safety-assessed1 review
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR