Cosmetic products contain a huge number of different ingredients that perform any function. Triethanolamine in cosmetics is used quite often and is part of many products. It has certain functions and is an absolutely safe substance for the skin.
Description
Triethanolamine (TEA) - a chemical substance that belongs to the class of amino alcohols, is obtained by the reaction of ammonia and ethylene. It has excellent concentrating properties, which contributed to its wide distribution in cosmetics. This substance can be found in the composition under different names: Dodecyl Sulfuric Triethanolamine, Daltogen, Trihydroxytriethylamine, Sterolamide, Nitrilotriethanol, Alkanolamine 244.
In the perfumery and cosmetics industry of Russia, triethanolamine is used quite widely. It is an absolutely safe chemical when used in small quantities. It has been proven that TEA improves certain qualities of cosmetic products, such as shelf life and certain physicochemical properties. Triethanolamine is a neutralizing agent. It is also used as a stabilizer in the manufacture of a large number of cosmetic products. The substance is also used as a foaming agent.
Characteristic
This component is also an emulsifier, stabilizer of acidity and can be used as a perfume ingredient. It has a slight smell of ammonia, which is absolutely not felt in the media. The formula of triethanolamine is C₆H₁₅NO₃. The substance is a colorless or yellowish liquid and can readily dissolve in water, oil, alcohol and acetone.
It can be used in the manufacture of products that are necessary only for external use. This substance does not cause allergic reactions on the skin and is absolutely non-toxic substance. The exception is individual intolerance to the body.
Triethanolamine in cosmetics is intended for a longer interaction with hair and skin, therefore, it is more often found in the list of ingredients than other amino alcohols. Usually its amount in the composition is incredibly low and varies depending on the purpose of a particular cosmetic or pharmaceutical product.
Useful qualities
Triethanolamine is used in cosmetics due to its high neutralizing qualities. It is a good and safe surfactant that forms a persistent foam with high cleansing properties.
It is used as an emulsifier and helps many ingredients to combine with each other for a more effective interaction, as well as to obtain a homogeneous mixture. One of the properties of triethanolamine, due to which the substance is incredibly popular in the manufacture of cosmetics, is the stabilization of acidity or pH.
This ingredient in various products improves their quality, aroma, prolongs shelf life and increases resistance to various external factors.
Application
The substance is used in various industries: cosmetic, pharmaceutical and perfumery. The most common products in the list of ingredients of which this substance is found:
- Solid soap.
- Shower gels.
- Decorative cosmetics.
- Shampoos
- Hair dye.
- Eau de toilette, cologne, perfume.
- Sun protection products.
- Therapeutic creams.
- Various ointments.
The use of triethanolamine as one of the components of cosmetic products is due to many useful properties, as well as safety and low carcinogenicity.
Why is it needed
First of all, cosmetics manufacturers seek to extend the shelf life of their products. This is one of the main functions of triethanolamine, as it is an excellent both independent and auxiliary preservative. For example, in the manufacture of solid soap, tea is considered the main substance. Unfortunately, in some types of products its concentration is quite large, which means that the likelihood of harmful effects on the skin increases.
Triethanolamine in cosmetics care and aimed at protecting from the sun is used in minimal quantities. Because these funds have prolonged contact with the skin and are absorbed into it. In these products, it acts as a stabilizer of acidity and is aimed at improving the quality of care products.
In decorative cosmetics, its concentration is quite low, it is used mainly as a stabilizer of acidity, and also extend the shelf life of products. It is added to tonal foundations, blush, eyeshadow, mascara and eyeliner.
Especially often TEA can be found in foaming products: shower gels, shampoos, foam for washing and so on. The substance forms a persistent foam, which perfectly cleans dirt and sebum. Dermatologists note that a substance is safe if there are no dangerous sulfates in the composition.
Possible harm
Disputes among cosmetologists, dermatologists and chemists about the dangers of using triethanolamine in cosmetics have not subsided so far. Their reasons are that, on the one hand, it is not included in the list of prohibited and dangerous substances, and on the other, it is a rather ambiguous component.
The detrimental effect of a particular substance on health and beauty depends on many factors, such as concentration, properties and its manifestation in a particular agent, the presence of other substances in the list of ingredients and the method of application of a particular cosmetic or pharmaceutical product. In small doses and as an excipient, triethanolamine does not pose any danger, however, you should stop using the product after the manifestation of an allergic reaction and irritation.
A high degree of triethanolamine in cosmetics or other products can contribute to:
- dry skin and peeling;
- early age-related changes and wrinkles;
- violation of the pH and water balance of the skin, as well as the destruction of its protective functions;
- irritation, itching and the appearance of acne;
- prolonged exposure with individual intolerance can lead to burns.
In order to avoid unpleasant consequences, experts recommend checking the composition of the cosmetic product, and the manufacturer must provide true information about the concentration of all ingredients.
Body reaction
Cosmetics with triethanolamine in the composition can cause the appearance of early age-related changes on the skin. In order to avoid the appearance of wrinkles, it is necessary to use cosmetics only for its intended purpose. For example, do not wash and rinse your makeup with a solid soap or shower gel. In their composition, the concentration of triethanolamine is quite high, as a result of which there is a chance of encountering unpleasant consequences.
If it gets into the eyes, the substance may irritate the mucous membrane, but not as much as other amino alcohols and sulfates. After washing with copious amounts of warm water, irritation and discomfort go away quickly. Creams for personal care do not pose any danger if the content of this substance in them is within normal limits.
When the first signs of allergies or irritation appear, you should not continue to use this cosmetic product. Today, it is important for each person to learn how to disassemble the composition of various means to preserve their own health and beauty.
Cosmetics that contain TEA
The following is a list of several cosmetic products containing triethanolamine in acceptable amounts:
- For the face: Dove nourishing cream, creams from Hundred Beauty Recipes, Clean Line apricot kernel scrub, BB-cream La Roche-Posay, Vichy deep cleansing gel, Mary Kay eye cream and Joy Skin night cream.
- For hair: masks from Faberlic, Amway shampoos, Mirsena sulsen paste.
- For the body: Faberlic grinding scrub, Mill Creek aloe vera gel, Neva cosmetics baby soap, Eared Nanny irritation cream, Sun Energy after-sun cream.
- Decorative cosmetics: mascaras from Eveline, Chanel, Faberlic, Physicianc Formula, Vivien Sabo, eyeliner from NYX, tonal bases from Avon, Faberlic, La Roche-Posay, Secret Key.
This is not a complete list of cosmetics that contain triethanolamine in acceptable quantities. To date, no manufacturer produces products hazardous to health and beauty. Nevertheless, extra caution will not hurt. Professional cosmetologists and dermatologists recommend not leaving makeup for longer than 8 hours. An ideal option is to immediately remove makeup if possible. This will help maintain youth and beauty of the skin, and cosmetics will not cause the appearance of imperfections, irritations and allergic reactions.
Shampoos and shower gels do not interact with hair and skin for long, therefore they are absolutely safe and do not cause dryness, irritation and itching. But it is worth remembering that cosmetics must be used for their intended purpose and view the list of ingredients before buying.
Conclusion
Triethanolamine in cosmetics is a common and completely safe substance. It has many useful functions, it provides him with incredible popularity in the production of various tools. This component significantly extends the shelf life of goods, and also contributes to the proper interaction of all ingredients in the composition. In the absence of individual intolerance, cosmetics with triethanolamine do not cause irritation of the skin and mucous membranes, do not accumulate in the body and do not harm human health.