What is triethanolamine?
Triethanolamine (TEA) is a clear, colorless, viscous liquid that smells a bit like ammonia because it contains nitrogen at its center. Triethanolamine is made by reacting ethylene oxide extracted from the petroleum industry with ammonia extracted from the air. It is primarily used in product formulations to adjust pH and emulsify immiscible liquids.
Triethanolamine is an organic compound used as a buffer, surfactant, and emulsifier in a variety of products, including cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and dietary supplements. But you'll find these stabilizers and pH adjusters in everything from cosmetics and fragrances to hair care and skin care. Especially in skincare, triethanolamine is found in a variety of products: shaving gels and creams, sunscreens, lotions, serums and cleansers.
Examples of products containing triethanolamine
Shampoo, conditioner, lotion, cream, soap, toothpaste, shaving cream, cosmetics, hair dye, sunscreen.
How is triethanolamine used in the food industry?
Triethanolamine is commonly used as an emulsifier, stabilizer and pH adjuster in the food industry. It is used to help mix ingredients together, prevent separation, and maintain desired pH levels. It is also used as an anti-caking agent to prevent powders from clumping. Triethanolamine is found in a variety of foods, including ice cream, margarine and processed cheese.
What are the health benefits of triethanolamine?
Triethanolamine is a dietary supplement that has been found to have many health benefits. It has been shown to help reduce inflammation, improve digestion, and reduce the risk of certain types of cancer. It can also help lower cholesterol levels, improve cardiovascular health, and reduce the risk of stroke. Additionally, it has been found to help improve skin health, reduce the risk of diabetes, and improve cognitive function.
What are the dangers of triethanolamine?
Triethanolamine is a compound used in a variety of products, including dietary supplements. It is known to be a skin and eye irritant and may cause respiratory problems if inhaled. Long-term exposure to triethanolamine can also cause liver and kidney damage. Additionally, it has been linked to an increased risk of cancer. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the potential risks of taking dietary supplements containing triethanolamine.
How is triethanolamine regulated around the world?
Triethanolamine is regulated as a food additive in many countries, including the United States, Canada, and the European Union. In the United States, it is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a generally recognized as safe (GRAS) substance. In Canada, it is regulated by Health Canada as a food additive. In the EU, it is regulated as a food additive by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
Triethanolamine Benefits for Skin
Triethanolamine may not have any particular benefits for the skin, but it does work in a few different ways to help the overall products it's used in work better and last longer.
- Balance pH: Triethanolamine neutralizes substances that throw acidity and alkalinity out of balance. This is important because pH levels outside of the neutral range are more likely to cause irritation.
- Emulsification: In order to mix oil and non-oil substances, you need a chemical that binds them together, also called an emulsifier or stabilizer. These products are amphiphilic in that they both have an oil-binding side and a water-binding side. Most importantly, they enable immiscible fluids to hold together well and become miscible. If you don't use an emulsifier, the oil and water will settle and separate, and you won't get an effective product.
- Stabilizes lotions: Triethanolamine acts as an emulsifier or stabilizer, helping lotions like creams and lotions to last longer.
- Thickening formulas: Triethanolamine also helps thicken and add body to formulas for sensory or aesthetic effects.
