Ingredient dictionary

Triethanolamine

Also listed as: TEA, Trolamine

Triethanolamine is a clear, thick, slightly alkaline liquid used mainly to adjust a product's pH and help ingredients blend together. It is on the label of 40 products in our library. Checked against our library November 6, 2026.

The catch: none for most people; check the full product list if your skin reacts easily.

What Triethanolamine does

Adjusts pH to a comfortable level
Neutralizes acidic thickeners and ingredients
Helps oil and water blend as an emulsifier

Triethanolamine is made by reacting ethylene oxide with ammonia. The process produces a mix of ethanolamines, and triethanolamine is one of them. Chemically it is a weak base, which is why it is so useful for adjusting pH.

Formulators use it to balance acidic ingredients, such as fatty acids and certain thickeners, so they work as intended. It also reacts with fatty acids to form soap-like emulsifiers that keep oil and water mixed. In most products it is a small part of the recipe and leaves the feel largely unchanged.

Good for

It suits everyday creams, lotions and gels, and is generally well tolerated at the levels used in them.

Be careful if

Nothing in particular for most skin types.

Frequently asked questions

Is triethanolamine safe in skincare?

Triethanolamine is widely used in cosmetics at the low levels that formulators need. Most people tolerate it well. Anyone with a known reaction to amines or to a specific product should stop using it and check with a dermatologist or doctor.

Can triethanolamine form nitrosamines?

Triethanolamine can form nitrosamines when mixed with certain nitrosating agents, which is why formulators avoid those combinations. Well-made products are formulated to keep this risk low. Everyday use does not call for alarm.