Triethanolamine

adultsSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Is this safe for adults to use Triethanolamine?

YES - Generally Safe
Danger Score: 3 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Triethanolamine is generally considered safe for adults when used in topical products. Adults generally have higher tolerance.

ℹ️General Overview

For adults: triethanolamine is usually safe in properly made skin products. Some people can get allergic skin reactions, and there is a manufacturing concern about contamination with nitrosamines if the product is not produced carefully.

What to Do

Choose products from reputable brands that follow safety rules. If you have sensitive skin, prefer rinse-off products (like cleansers) over leave-on creams when possible. Do a small patch test on your inner arm before using a new product broadly. Stop use and see a doctor if you get redness, itching, blisters, or breathing problems.

⚠️Warnings

Watch out for rash or irritation (this ingredient can be a skin allergen — source: cosmetic safety reviews and occupational reports). Be cautious about long‑term use of leave-on products if you have sensitive skin because some reviews limit concentration for leave-on vs rinse-off products (source: cosmetic safety review panels and regulatory guidance). There is also a contamination concern for nitrosamines if manufacturing controls are poor (source: contamination concerns listing).

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

Is this safe for adults to use Triethanolamine?

Yes, Triethanolamine is generally considered safe for adults based on current research.

What are the immune system risks of Triethanolamine for adults?

Could weaken or confuse immune system.

What are the irritant risks of Triethanolamine for adults?

Can cause skin redness, itchiness, or rashes—especially on sensitive baby skin.

What are the asthma risks of Triethanolamine for adults?

Can make breathing issues like asthma worse in babies and kids.

What are the eczema risks of Triethanolamine for adults?

Linked to triggering or worsening eczema and similar skin conditions.

What are the organ risk risks of Triethanolamine for adults?

May harm organs like liver, kidneys, or lungs with repeated use.

What are the banned risks of Triethanolamine for adults?

Banned or heavily restricted in one or more countries.

What are the cancer risks of Triethanolamine for adults?

Connected to cancer risk with long-term or repeated exposure.

What products contain Triethanolamine?

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

When can adults using products with Triethanolamine?

The appropriate age depends on the specific ingredient properties and concentration. This analysis is for adults. Use the age selector above to check other ages.

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