However, is triethanolamine really harmful to the skin? Should you be really concerned if you find it in your products? This article clarifies everything you need to know about triethanolamine and its risks. Read on. Triethanolamine is commonly used in cosmetic products as a pH adjusting agent, emulsion stabilizer, and surfactanti XA detergent agent added to soaps, shampoos, and other products to cleanse a person or object or to reduce the surface tension of water. . You can see this ingredient in foundations, lotions, creams, serums, cleansers, and sunscreens. There is an ongoing controversy about whether TEA poses a threat to the skin or not. Let’s find out in the next section.
Is Triethanolamine Safe For Your Skin?
Yes, triethanolamine is considered safe for use in both skin and hair care products. Many concerns are raised on triethanolamine’s toxicity and its safety as a skin care ingredient. These concerns stem from the fact that triethanolamine results from a reaction of ammonia with N-nitrosatingi X A reaction in which organic amino compounds mix with nitrates to form nitrosamines. ingredients to create nitrosamines, which were thought to be carcinogens. However, the levels of N-nitrosating ingredients in skin care products are highly regulated, so the interaction of the two ingredients to form carcinogenici XAn element, ingredient, or chemical that has potential cancer-causing properties. compounds is relatively low. Also, most of the products must comply with the guidelines set by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel, which bars the use of TEA in any products in which N-nitroso compounds can form. The panel concluded that TEA and TEA-related ingredients are safe when formulated to be non-irritating to the skin. Hence, you need not panic and banish all TEA-containing products from your skin care regimen. This ingredient does not have any skin benefits. However, it can help improve the efficiency of the cosmetic formulations of the products.
What Are The Benefits Of Triethanolamine?
Here are some benefits of using triethanolamine in cosmetics:
1. Balances The pH Levels
One of the most important uses of triethanolamine is balancing the pH of cosmetic formulations. It is known to neutralize higher and lower pH and reduce the acidity and alkalinityi XThe capacity of a water body to neutralize bases and acids to obtain a balanced pH level. of any product. Products with neutral pH levels do not irritate the skin.
2. Excellent Emulsifier
Triethanolamine is also said to help in the emulsification of various ingredients, which is one of the primary reasons it is used in creams and other product formulations. Emulsification is the process of mixing two immiscible liquids, mostly an oil and non-oil liquid, to form a more homogenous product. For this process, you need a chemical that helps in the process by holding both molecules together. Triethanolamine can aid this process and prevent oils and other liquids from separating, giving the product an even consistency.
3. Thickening Agent
Another reason you find triethanolamine in lotions and creams is its benefit as a thickening agent. Many formulations (like creams and conditioners) require thickeners to get the ideal consistency. While choosing products that contain triethanolamine, you may have questioned the possible side effects of this ingredient. Read on to know if there are any negative effects you should be concerned about.
What Are The Possible Side Effects Of Triethanolamine?
Triethanolamine is safe for the skin and does not have any side effects, as most products keep its concentration between 1% and 3%. At this concentration, triethanolamine is safe for skin application and does not lead to irritation of the skin or any other side effects. It can cause allergic reactions and skin irritation when used above 5% in cosmetic products. However, the irritation can go away once you discontinue using the product. So far, there is no evidence of any other long-term side effects of triethanolamine. Triethanolamine is not an ingredient you must be actively looking for in skin care products. However, many skin formulations can benefit from its stabilizing properties. Why is triethanolamine used in hand sanitizer? Triethanolamine is used in hand sanitizer to balance its pH level and emulsify ingredients that do not blend well. Is triethanolamine an alcohol? Triethanolamine is a compound that contains triol, an alcohol compound.
Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more. Triethanolamine https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Triethanolamine Safety Assessment of Triethanolamine and Triethanolamine-Containing Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1091581813488804# The effect of stearic acid and triethanolamine (tea) on physical and chemical properties of cosmetic emulsion using coconut oil as raw material https://www.researchgate.net/publication/283770388_The_effect_of_stearic_acid_and_triethanolamine_tea_on_physical_and_chemical_properties_of_cosmetic_emulsion_using_coconut_oil_as_raw_material
