Triethanolamine

2-5 year old preschoolersSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Safe for preschoolers to use Triethanolamine?

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USE WITH CAUTION
Danger Score: 5 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Triethanolamine use with caution for 2-5 year old children when used in topical products. Consider preschooler activity levels.

ℹ️General Overview

For toddlers and preschoolers (ages 2-5), this ingredient can irritate skin and can cause allergic reactions in some people. There is also a manufacturing contamination concern (nitrosamines). Overall, it’s a moderate concern for this age group.

What to Do

Prefer products made for children that do not list triethanolamine. If a product does contain it, choose rinse-off items (like some shampoos or washes) rather than leave-on creams or lotions, and use them sparingly. Do a small patch test on your child’s forearm and wait 24 hours before wider use. Stop use and check with your child’s pediatrician if you see redness, rash, swelling, or other changes.

⚠️Warnings

Watch for skin redness, persistent itching, hives, or swelling—these signs suggest an allergic reaction (sources: Cosmetic Ingredient Review and occupational health reviews). Avoid products that are leave-on for young children because regulators place limits on concentration and use in leave-on products (source: Cosmetic Ingredient Review). There is also a contamination risk from nitrosamines during manufacturing—try to buy from reputable brands and avoid products with unclear labeling or from unknown sources (contamination concern noted by regulatory reviews). If your child has breathing problems or sudden severe reactions, seek emergency care (occupational health reports note respiratory sensitization in some exposed adults).

Confidence: HIGH

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Immune system: Multiple safety reviews note that triethanolamine shows evidence of immune and allergy effects in people, including reports of immune system or allergy concerns and respiratory allergic reactions (noted by cosmetic safety reviewers and occupational health assessments). This means it can affect the immune response in children who are exposed.
Irritant: A cosmetic safety review found strong evidence that triethanolamine is a human skin toxicant or allergen. That means it can cause skin redness, itching, or rashes—especially on sensitive or young skin.
Asthma: An occupational health review lists triethanolamine as a human respiratory toxicant or allergen, so inhalation or skin exposure may worsen breathing problems or trigger asthma-like responses in sensitive children.
Eczema: Because triethanolamine is reported as a skin allergen/toxicant, it can trigger or worsen eczema and similar skin conditions in babies and children prone to eczema.
Organ Risk: A national environmental agency classifies triethanolamine as expected to be toxic or harmful to non-reproductive organs, and regulatory toxicology notes animal studies showing effects at moderate doses. Repeated or high exposures could harm organs such as the liver or kidneys.
Banned: Cosmetic safety reviews and regional cosmetic rules place limits on how this ingredient may be used and at what concentrations, and some regulations restrict its use in certain products. This means some countries impose legal use or concentration limits.
Cancer: There is a high-listed concern about contamination with nitrosamines (a class of chemicals linked to cancer). While the ingredient itself is not judged likely to cause cancer, the potential for nitrosamine contamination raises a cancer-related risk from impurities.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Triethanolamine

This ingredient may also be listed as:

triethanolamineTEATRIETHANOLAMINE, PHARMAGRADE, USP, MANUFACTURED UNDER APPROPRIATE GMP CONTROLS FOR PHARMA OR BIOPHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTION.32132-EP2311827A132132-EP2301935A132132-EP2301933A132132-EP2301929A132132-EP2305674A132132-EP2301928A156753-EP2287158A156753-EP2275408A156753-EP2289483A1

Always check ingredient labels carefully, as ingredients may be listed under different names.

Products Containing Triethanolamine

This ingredient is found in the following products:

This list shows products that contain Triethanolamine or its alternative names.

Common Questions About Triethanolamine

Safe for preschoolers to use Triethanolamine?

Use caution with Triethanolamine for 2-5 year old children. Some safety concerns have been identified.

What are the immune system risks of Triethanolamine for preschoolers?

Could weaken or confuse immune system. Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

What are the irritant risks of Triethanolamine for preschoolers?

Can cause skin redness, itchiness, or rashes—especially on sensitive baby skin. Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

What are the asthma risks of Triethanolamine for preschoolers?

Can make breathing issues like asthma worse in babies and kids. Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

What are the eczema risks of Triethanolamine for preschoolers?

Linked to triggering or worsening eczema and similar skin conditions. Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

What are the organ risk risks of Triethanolamine for preschoolers?

May harm organs like liver, kidneys, or lungs with repeated use. Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

What are the banned risks of Triethanolamine for preschoolers?

Banned or heavily restricted in one or more countries. Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

What are the cancer risks of Triethanolamine for preschoolers?

Connected to cancer risk with long-term or repeated exposure. Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

What products contain Triethanolamine?

Triethanolamine is commonly found in skincare products, cosmetics, and topical applications. Always check ingredient labels before use.

Is this suitable for preschoolers to using products with Triethanolamine?

The appropriate age depends on the specific ingredient properties and concentration. This analysis is for 2-5 year old children. Use the age selector above to check other ages.

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