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Triethanolamine

Triethanolamine, often shortened to TEA, is a synthetic ingredient used to adjust a product's pH. It often works alongside carbomer, turning it into a smooth gel.

On a list as
Triethanolamine
What it does
pH adjuster
Where it comes from
Synthetic
Vegan?
Yes

Why it’s in a formula

Skin products need the right pH to feel comfortable and stay stable; TEA sets it. It is used in small amounts.

  • The EU limits how much can go into leave-on products and bars its use alongside ingredients that could react with it to form nitrosamines. Those limits are why it is considered safe at cosmetic levels.

Read from each piece’s published ingredient list. 8 pieces.

La Crème

La Crème

Cushioning Moisturizer — 50ml

$138

Listed as Triethanolamine

Not vegan: beeswax

L'Élixir

L'Élixir

Anti-Aging Elixir — 30ml

$98

Listed as Triethanolamine

Not vegan: honey (as mel extract)

La Crème de Jour

La Crème de Jour

Day Cream — 30ml

$96

Listed as Triethanolamine

Not vegan: honey (as mel extract)

La Crème de Nuit

La Crème de Nuit

Night Cream

$108

Listed as Triethanolamine

Not vegan: beeswax

Le Contour

Le Contour

Eye Cream — 15ml

$78

Listed as Triethanolamine

Not vegan: lanolin alcohol and honey

L'Aloès

L'Aloès

Aloe Soothing Gel — 100ml

$44

Listed as Triethanolamine

Vegan, going by its list

Le Sérum Cils

Le Sérum Cils

Lash & Brow Serum — 6g

$48

Listed as Triethanolamine

Vegan, going by its list

Le Mascara

Le Mascara

Volumizing Mascara

$46

Listed as Triethanolamine

Not vegan: beeswax

Is triethanolamine safe?

At the low levels used to adjust pH, regulators consider it safe. It can irritate some skins at higher concentrations, which is why use is limited.

How we know: every ingredient list on this site is the manufacturer’s own, read piece by piece and shade by shade, and the pieces above are worked out from those lists each time the site is built. Ingredient names and functions follow the EU’s CosIng database. This page describes cosmetic ingredients; it isn’t medical advice.