MEA-Undecylenate

AKA: UNDECYLENIC ACID MONOETHANOLAMINE, 56532-40-2, Undec-10-enoic acid, Compound with 2-aminoethanol (1:1), MONOETHANOLAMINE UNDECYLENATE, ETHANOL, 10-UNDECENOATE (SALT), MEA-UNDECYLENATE [INCI]
Synthetic
Preservative
Cleanser
Not Clean
OriginDerived from monoethanolamine and undecylenic acid, both produced through synthetic organic chemistry processes. Synthesized by esterification reaction between monoethanolamine and undecylenic acid under controlled conditions.
Undec-10-enoic acid, compound with 2-aminoethanol (1:1)
Formula
C13H27NO3
Mol. Weight
245.36
CAS #
56532-40-2
Form
Liquid
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
Functions
Preservative
Keeps your product from growing bacteria, mold, or yeast. Without these, that jar of cream becomes a petri dish in about a week.
Cleansing
Makes oil and water mix so dirt, makeup, and sunscreen can actually be washed away. The reason your face wash foams.
Preserves Formula
Cleansing Surfactant
Lifts away dirt and oil
Prevents microbial growth
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.
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
Concentration Guide
0%50%100%
Reg. limit 0.2%
CIR lists it as not reported to be in use.
CIR · report published 2015
EU regulatory limit: 0.2%. Source: EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009, Annex V (Preservatives), Entry 18.
Regulatory Status
USA✔ permitted
EU✔ permitted
JAPAN✔ permitted
CANADA✔ permitted
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR