Palmamides consist of a mixture of amides of various fatty acids (especially palmitic acid) contained in palm oil. Like cocamides, palmamides represent the structural basis of emulsifiers and surfactants. These are often compounds with monoethanolamine (MEA), diethanolamine (DEA) or betaines.
Betaine (also called trimethylglycine or glycine betaine), is a quaternary ammonium compound with three methyl groups, 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"), among others.
Palmamidopropyl betaine is used in cosmetic formulations. The substance acts as surfactant (washing-active substance), antistatic agent (reduces static charges by neutralizing the electric charge on the surface, e.g. of hair), skin care product, substance with cleansing effect, foaming agent (increases the foam formation and improves volume, structure and durability of the foam), hair conditioning agent (makes the hair easy to comb, smooth, soft and shiny and gives it volume).