Triethanolamine is a tertiary amino compound that is ammonia in which each of the hydrogens is substituted by a 2-hydroxyethyl group.
- Korean limit
- 2.5%
How much products actually contain
No product states its amount yet.
Of the products containing it, 121 list it before the 1% line and 241 after it (usually 1% or less).
Products using this ingredient
12 of 361 confirmed · likeliest to carry enough first · See all 361
narkaSuper Fix Edge Hair Mascara 8.5ml
GilletteFoamy 3 Types 175g (Lemon Lime/Menthol/Sensitive)
JM solutionMarine Luminous Pearl Deep Moisture Foaming Cleanser Pearl 200ml
O.21Avapara Perfect Pore Gel To Foam Vegan Cleanser
NIVEANIVEA MEN Sensitive Shaving Foam
GilletteGillette Labs Shaving Gel 198ml
DORCOPro Sensitive Shaving Foam 210ml
SleekMotion Shaving Foam 210ml
NIVEANIVEA MEN Fresh Kick Shaving Gel 200ml
CliniqueClinique For Men Aloe Shave Gel 125ml
Harry'sHarry's Shave Gel
Paul MitchellPaul Mitchell Extra-Body Sculpting Gel
Definition
Triethanolamine is a tertiary amino compound that is ammonia in which each of the hydrogens is substituted by a 2-hydroxyethyl group. It has a role as a surfactant and a buffer. It is an amino alcohol, a triol and a tertiary amino compound. It is functionally related to a triethylamine. It is a conjugate base of a triethanolammonium.
Source: PubChem
US FDA substance register · UNII 9O3K93S3TK · registered name Trolamine · single chemical substance
Cosmetic roles
Safety & regulatory references
- Restricted
- China · South Korea
Source: MFDS (Korea) cosmetic regulatory information
Argentina · Brazil
- Field of application and/or use : (a) Products without rinse. (b) Other products.
- Maximum concentration permitted at final product : (a) 2.5%
- Other limitations and requirements : a.- b.- . No use with nitrosating systems . -Pureza minimum 99% maximum -Tenor of secondary amines in raw materials 0.5%. Maximum nitrosamine -Tenor. 50 ug / kg -Envasar / keep in containers free of nitrites
ASEAN
- Field of application and/or use : (a) non-rinse-off products (b) other products
- Maximum authorised concentration in the finished cosmetic product : (a) 2.5%
- Other limitations and requirements : (a) (b): • Do not use with nitrosating systems • Minimum purity: 99% • Maximum secondary amine content: 0.5% (applies to raw materials) • Maximum nitrosamine content: 50 μg/kg • Keep in nitrite-free containers
European Union
- Product Type, body parts : (a) Leave-on products (b) Rinse-off products
- Maximum concentration in ready for use preparation : (a) 2.5%
- Other : (a) (b) - Do not use with nitrosating systems - Minimum purity: 99% - Maximum secondary amine content: 0.5% (applies to raw materials) - Maximum nitrosamine content: 50 microgram/kg - Keep in nitrite-free containers
Source: MFDS (Korea) cosmetic regulatory information
Not classified under Korea’s toxic-substance GHS list · existing chemical substance
Restriction III/62
Source: EU CosIng ingredient list
Reviewed by CIR: Safety Assessment of Triethanolamine and Triethanolamine-Containing Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics
Reviewed by CIR: Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Triethanolamine, Diethanolamine, and Monoethanolamine
More data — names, identifiers, properties, test records, literature
Official labels & definitions
JCIA labelling name ＴＥＡ: 本品は、次の化学式で表されるアルカノールアミンである。
Source: JCIA labelling names (Japan)
Names & identifiers
- CAS No.chemical registry number
- 102-71-6
- EC No.EU chemical inventory number
- 203-049-8
- DTXSIDUS EPA chemical ID
- DTXSID9021392
- DTXCIDUS EPA compound ID
- DTXCID201392
- IUPAC
- 2,2',2''-Nitrilotri(ethan-1-ol)
- Molecular formula
- C6H15NO3
- Molecular weight
- 149.19 g/mol
Measured properties
- pH
- 10.5
- Melting/freezing point
- 20.5 ℃
- Initial boiling point and range
- 335 ℃
- Flash point
- 179 ℃(c.c.)
- Evaporation rate
- 0.01
- Upper/lower flammability or explosive limits
- 8.5 / 1.3 %
- Vapour pressure
- 1.33 ㎜Hg (20℃)
- Water solubility
- 100 g/100㎖
- Vapour density
- 5.1
- Relative density
- 1.1
- n-Octanol/water partition coefficient (Kow)
- -1.59
- Auto-ignition temperature
- 324 ℃
Values measured on the substance itself. The KOSHA data are a reference for writing and reviewing safety data sheets, not a specification for a commercial raw material.
Source: KOSHA safety data sheets (Korea)
What products actually use it for
What the 394 products reported to the US EPA with this ingredient use it for. Products outside cosmetics are included, so the top few rows are its main uses.
- pH regulating agent112
- Processing aids not otherwise specified99
- Emulsifier32
- Fragrance28
- Surfactant (surface active agent)25
- Corrosion inhibitor18
- Solvent16
- No specific technical function9
25 other uses
- Viscosity modifier6
- Cleaning agent5
- Chemical reaction regulator4
- Waterproofing agent3
- Stabilizing agent3
- Plasticizer3
- Soil amendments3
- Lubricating agent3
- Intermediate3
- Deodorizer2
- Humectant2
- Surface modifier2
- Dye2
- Anti-freeze agent2
- Hardener2
- Monomers1
- Solubility enhancer1
- Chelating agent1
- Pigment1
- Adhesion/cohesion promoter1
- Defoamer1
- Photosensitive agent1
- Catalyst1
- Flavouring and nutrient1
- Preservative1
Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard
Irritation and sensitisation studies
9 skin studies and 5 eye studies are on record.
The studies disagree (the most common conclusion covers 25%), so they do not establish that this ingredient is irritating. These tests are on the raw material itself; irritation at the amount in a finished product is a different question.
See all 14 studies
- Category 6.3B (Category 3)
Skin Irritation · Read Across - Category 2
Skin Irritation · Screening - Not likely to be sensitizing
skin sensitisation: in vivo (non-LLNA) · Screening · according to OECD Guideline 406 (Skin Sensitisation) - Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
skin irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 404 (Acute Dermal Irritation / Corrosion) according to - Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
skin irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 404 (Acute Dermal Irritation / Corrosion) equivalent or similar to - Category 1
Skin Sensitization · Screening - SkinIrr2
Skin Irritation · QSAR Predicted - SkinSens1
Skin Sensitization · QSAR Predicted - Skin irritation - category 2
Skin Irritation · Screening - Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
eye irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 405 (Acute Eye Irritation / Corrosion) equivalent or similar to - Severe Irritation
eye irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 405 (Acute Eye Irritation / Corrosion) equivalent or similar to - Eye irritation - category 2A
Eye Irritation · Screening - Category 6.4A (Category 2A)
Eye Irritation · Read Across - Category 2A
Eye Irritation · Screening
Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard
Related literature
- Allergic Contact Dermatitis to Triethanolamine in a Child · 2015
- Efficacy of triethanolamine cream in the treatment of chronic skin ulcer: a clinical study · 2014
- Safety Assessment of Triethanolamine and Triethanolamine-Containing Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics · 2013
- Observation and nursing of Triethanolamine in prevention of breast cancer radiation dermatitis · 2011
- Carbopols as factors buffering triethanolamine interacting with artificial skin sebum. · 2004
Linked databases 23
- Australian Industrial Chemicals Inventory (AICIS)
- ChEBI
- China inventory of existing ingredients (IECIC)
- EU CosIng ingredient list 2
- IARC carcinogen classification
- JCIA labelling names (Japan)
- Korea Cosmetic Association ingredient dictionary
- Korea toxic substances GHS register (NIER)
- KOSHA safety data sheets (Korea)
- MFDS (Korea) cosmetic ingredient register 2
- MFDS (Korea) cosmetic regulatory information 2 3
- NIST Chemistry WebBook
- PubChem
- Tlooto literature search 2 3 4 5
- UniChem cross-reference IDs
- US Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) 2 3
- US EPA CompTox dashboard 2
- US EPA DSSTox chemical database
- US FDA substance registration (GSRS)
- US FDA Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII)
- US National Toxicology Program reports
- Wikidata
- Wikipedia · English · Japanese · Chinese