Triethanolamine
Triethanolamine is a surfactant and emulsifying ingredient. It’s in 315 products on Poliage, most often mascara, body lotion and hair styling. Avoid lists on Poliage that include it: none.
Updated October 22, 2026
In plain English
An amino alcohol. Raises pH and neutralizes acidic ingredients such as carbomer.
What it does
Contains Triethanolamine: buffering
Function listed in CosIng
Contains Triethanolamine: emulsifying
Function listed in CosIng
Contains Triethanolamine: masking
Function listed in CosIng
Contains Triethanolamine: surfactant
Function listed in CosIng
Source: CosIng, the European Commission cosmetic ingredient database, ref 38702, accessed October 22, 2026. Also listed as trolamine.
Products that contain Triethanolamine
Family
OFF! Family Crema
Lists fragrance, parabens
Differin
Oil Absorbing Moisturizer SPF 30
Sunscreen · Lists silicones, chemical UV filters
Your Skin But Better
Oil Free Makeup Primer
Lists drying alcohol, exfoliating acid, silicones, salicylic acid
Old Spice Beard Conditioner
Lists fragrance, parabens, silicones
Mario Badescu
Orange Cleansing Soap
Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, parabens, formaldehyde releasers, coconut derivatives
ouidad vitacurl gel
Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, retinoid, silicones
L’Oréal
Out of bed
Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, drying alcohol, chemical UV filters
Italia Deluxe
Perfect Eyeliner Mate Black 2303
Lists parabens
L’Oréal
Playgum Cire-crème aux vitamines
Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, drying alcohol, silicones
Pond:s
Lists fragrance, parabens, formaldehyde releasers
Unilever
pond’s moisturizer
Lists fragrance, parabens
ponds clarant
Lists silicones, chemical UV filters
ponds dramatic results
Lists fragrance, exfoliating acid, parabens, silicones, formaldehyde releasers, coconut derivatives
COVERGIRL
Professional All In One Curved Brush Mascara
Mascara · Lists fragrance allergens, drying alcohol, parabens, silicones
COVERGIRL
Professional Super Thick Lash Waterproof Mascara
Mascara · Lists fragrance allergens, drying alcohol, sulfates, parabens, silicones
Nivea
Protect & Care
Lists fragrance, fragrance allergens, coconut derivatives
Vichy
Pureté Thermale Fresh Cleansing Gel
Lists fragrance, coconut derivatives
purw silk sensitive skin
Lists fragrance, sulfates
Boots
Q10 day cream
Lists fragrance, exfoliating acid, silicones, chemical UV filters
Cien
Rasiergel Sensitive
Lists fragrance
Ombia
Rasiergel Ultra Sensitiv
None of Poliage’s flag groups listed
Cosmia
Recharge gel douche soin dermoprotect sensitive
Lists fragrance, sulfates, coconut derivatives
Medicube
Red Toner 2.0
Toner · Lists fragrance allergens, drying alcohol, exfoliating acid, essential oils, salicylic acid
La Roche-Posay
Redermic R - Correcteur dermatologique Intensif
Lists fragrance, retinoid
Related guides
How to read an ingredient list
What the ingredient list on a beauty product tells you, what the names mean, and what it leaves out, using FDA and EU labeling rules.
Does ingredient order show how much is in a product?
Ingredient lists run from most to least, but only down to 1%. Below that, any order is allowed. What the order shows and what it hides.
How do you patch test a new product?
What the AAD, FDA and DermNet say about testing a small area, the FDA hair dye skin test, in-office patch tests, and contact allergy basics.