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Triethanolamine

Cleanses and foams.

What it is

An alkaline liquid made in a lab, often shortened to TEA.

Adjusts the product's pH and helps oil and water blend.

A short summary from the dictionary, not yet an in-depth article. About these entries

What it does in a formula

Cleanses and foamsOfficial EU function: Surfactant - cleansing
Helps oil and water mixOfficial EU function: Surfactant - emulsifying
Balances the pHOfficial EU function: Buffering
Adds scentOfficial EU function: Fragrance

What official sources say

Restricted in certain uses · Cosmetics, EU

Allowed in EU cosmetics only within set limits and conditions (Annex III, entry 62).

Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex III: list of substances which cosmetic products must not contain except subject to the restrictions laid down (CosIng), retrieved 2026-10-09

A label gives no amounts, so none of this says a product is unsafe.