Authority source
Safety basis: EU SCCS / CIR
CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) assessment, EU SCCS (Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety) opinion
Triethanolamine
TEATrolamine
pH Adjuster, Emulsifier, Surfactant
Triethanolamine is used in products to help adjust their acidity or alkalinity. It also helps oil and water mix together smoothly, creating a stable product.
What it is
Triethanolamine is an organic compound that acts as a pH adjuster, emulsifier, and surfactant in many personal care products.
Found in
cleansers, shampoos, lotions, creams, sunscreens, makeup
The concern
Concerns include potential for skin irritation, allergic reactions, and the formation of harmful nitrosamines when combined with certain other ingredients.
Legal status
The FDA permits its use in cosmetics, while the EU SCCS considers it safe at specific concentrations and in rinse-off products, with restrictions on nitrosamine formation.
Context-dependent
Safety concerns are generally low in rinse-off products and at low concentrations, but potential for irritation or formation of nitrosamines exists under certain conditions.
Evidence & sources
Article / explainer
Article / explainer
No highly relevant article explainer found yet.
Video explainer
Triethanolamine Market | Industry Data Analytics | IDA
Video
Industry Data Analytics
Watch videoCommunity questions
Community questions
Community discussions are not used as safety evidence and no highly relevant discussion is shown for this ingredient.
Related ingredient guides
Compare this ingredient with related ingredients and common alternatives.
Sodium Hydroxide
Another formula helper often checked in the same ingredient labels.
Peg 100 Stearate
Another formula helper often checked in the same ingredient labels.
Polysorbate 80
Another formula helper often checked in the same ingredient labels.
Citric Acid
Another formula helper often checked in the same ingredient labels.
Last updated: June 16, 2026