humectant

Acetamide Mea

INCI: ACETAMIDE MEA
CAS 142-26-7 EC 205-530-8
N-2-hydroxyethylacetamide
Limited Data
Insufficient safety data available. Consider enriching this ingredient.
Details

Description

N-2-hydroxyethylacetamide

Purpose

Function

Humectant; hair and skin conditioning agent
Profile

Properties

Silicone
Silicone free
Compliance

Regulatory Status

EU
Permitted
Safety
MODERATE
US
Permitted
Absorptionlow
Sensitizationnone
MoSnot established
NOAEL750 mg/kg
ConcernModerate
Flags
nitrosamine-riskleave-on-concentration-limitrinse-off-preferredavoid-nitrosating-agents
Verdict

Acetamide MEA (CAS 142-26-7) is permitted in both EU and US. EU permits with no annex restriction but nitrosamine formation risk requires formulation controls. US CIR determined safe for rinse-off products and leave-on formulations at concentrations ≤7.5%; nitrosating co-ingredients must be avoided. Acetamide parent compound is IARC Group 2B at high chronic doses, not applicable to MEA derivative in cosmetic use.

US Note

CIR (1993, amended 2015): safe in rinse-off products; safe in leave-on at <=7.5%; must not contain nitrosating agents

Assessment

Ratings

Comedogenic0/5
LowHigh
Irritancy0/5
LowHigh
Reference

Identifiers

CAS Number
142-26-7
EC Number
205-530-8
INCI
ACETAMIDE MEA
Category
humectant
Updated
Apr 2, 2026