Stearamidopropyl betaine (inci)

Stearamide is the amide of stearic acid (octadecanamide), "betaine" (also called trimethylglycine or glycine betaine), a quaternary ammonium compound with three methyl groups. Betaine is a derivative of the amino acid glycine and is formed as a by-product of sugar production from sugar beet molasses (beta vulgaris, hence "betaine").

Stearamidopropyl betaine is used in cosmetic formulations. The mixture of substances acts as surfactant (washing-active substance; improves the even distribution of the products during application), antistatic agent (reduces static charges by neutralizing the electrical charge on the surface, e.g. of hair), hair conditioning agent (makes the hair easy to comb, smooth, soft and shiny and gives it volume), substance with cleansing effect, skin care agent and as foaming agent (increases the foam formation and improves volume, structure and durability of the foam).