Ingredient glossary
Triethanolamine
On your shelf ✓What Triethanolamine does for your skin, who it suits, and what to watch for.
INCI: Triethanolamine · Also: TEA, Trolamine
In short: Triethanolamine delivers pH adjuster and emulsification, plays a broad, supporting role, and the evidence behind it is strong. One thing to know: needs the right pH to work.
- What it does
- PH adjuster, emulsification
- Best for
- A broad, supporting role
- Watch out
- Needs the right pH to work
- Evidence
- Strong
The molecule
The Glow take
Nice to have, and nothing to overthink.
Triethanolamine plays a quiet supporting role, rounding out a formula rather than being the reason you buy it.
— Maya
What it does
- pH adjuster
- emulsification
strong evidenceThe CIR panel found triethanolamine safe when formulated to be non-irritating and never combined with nitrosating agents; EU Annex III caps trialkanolamines at 2.5 percent in rinse-off products with strict nitrosamine and purity limits.
Who it's for, and who should skip it
Tends to suit
No specific skin type. It is a broadly used ingredient.
Approach with care
- very sensitive
- Clogs poresLow
- Irritation riskLow
- pH-dependentIts effect depends on the product's pH
How it fits each skin type
- DryNeutral
- CombinationNeutral
- OilyNeutral
- SensitiveTake care
Where it fits in your routine
Plays well with
- carbomer
- stearic acid
Triethanolamine, answered
Is Triethanolamine safe during pregnancy?
Yes. Triethanolamine is considered safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. As with anything, if you are unsure it is worth a quick word with your doctor or midwife.
Who should avoid Triethanolamine?
Approach Triethanolamine with care if any of these apply to you: very sensitive.
What concentration of Triethanolamine actually works?
Its concentration is rarely printed on the label, so use the ingredient list as your clue: near the top third it is likely doing real work, near the bottom it is more of a sprinkle.
This, for every label you own
One ingredient is easy. A full label is where it gets confusing. The Ingredient Decoder reads any product and tells you the honest truth, ingredient by ingredient.
Sources & how we reviewed this
- PMID 23696578abstract only, the full text is paywalled
- EU Regulation 1223/2009-AnnexIII-trialkanolaminessummary page only, the document itself was not read