Is Triethanolamine Banned? EU vs US Status, Risks & Where It Hides
TL;DR: Triethanolamine is restricted in the EU but allowed in the US (endocrine disruptors).
INCI name Triethanolamine. CAS 102-71-6.
Is Triethanolamine banned in the EU?
| EU status | Restricted |
|---|---|
| US status | Allowed |
| Risk level | medium |
| Where it shows up | lotion, sunscreen, makeup |
| CAS number | 102-71-6 |
What is Triethanolamine?
Triethanolamine (Triethanolamine) is a pH adjuster and emulsifier (TEA).
Why is Triethanolamine used in personal-care products?
It is used for its preservative, coloring, fragrance, solvent or texture-enhancing function.
Is Triethanolamine dangerous? Documented risks
Can form nitrosamines; the EU restricts its use and impurity limits.
Products that may contain Triethanolamine
- Curél Dry Skin Therapy Original LotionCurél
- La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 60La Roche-Posay
- Vaseline Intensive Care Deep Restore LotionVaseline
- Nivea Essentially Enriched Body LotionNivea
- Lubriderm Daily Moisture Lotion Fragrance-FreeLubriderm
- Curél Ultra Healing Intensive LotionCurél
- Coppertone SPORT SPF 50 Sunscreen LotionCoppertone
- La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-in Milk SPF 100La Roche-Posay
How to avoid Triethanolamine: safer alternatives
Choose EU-compliant or 'free-from' formulations and read the INCI list. BannedPantry flags this ingredient and suggests safer swaps.
Frequently asked questions about Triethanolamine
Is Triethanolamine banned in the EU?
Triethanolamine is restricted under the EU Cosmetics Regulation (1223/2009), but it is allowed in US personal-care products.
Is Triethanolamine in US cosmetics?
Yes — Triethanolamine can still appear in US-sold cosmetics and personal-care products because US rules are far less restrictive than the EU's.
What products contain Triethanolamine?
Read the INCI ingredient list on the back of the package. Scan the barcode with BannedPantry to flag Triethanolamine automatically.
Are there safer alternatives to Triethanolamine?
Yes. Look for EU-compliant or 'free-from' formulations; BannedPantry suggests safer swaps when it detects Triethanolamine.
Scan any product's barcode and instantly see if it contains Triethanolamine or other ingredients banned overseas.
Scan a product free →Related endocrine disruptors
Avoiding banned beauty ingredients? Check your food, too.
Sources
- EU endocrine disruptor list I — EU ED Lists
- EU Cosmetics Regulation Annex II (prohibited substances) — EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009
- EU-banned cosmetics ingredients and US impact — RegASK
Our scores are never influenced by brands. Last updated 6/11/2026.