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Answer: Triethanolamine is restricted (not fully banned) in European Union. The FDA still allows it in US cosmetics and personal-care products. Risk level: medium. Commonly found in: lotion, sunscreen, makeup.
TL;DR: Triethanolamine is restricted in the EU but allowed in the US (endocrine disruptors).
Reviewed for clarity & usefulness by the BannedPantry Parent Panel
INCI name Triethanolamine. CAS 102-71-6.
| EU status | Restricted |
|---|---|
| US status | Allowed |
| Risk level | medium |
| Where it shows up | lotion, sunscreen, makeup |
| CAS number | 102-71-6 |
Triethanolamine (Triethanolamine) is a pH adjuster and emulsifier (TEA).
It is used for its preservative, coloring, fragrance, solvent or texture-enhancing function.
Can form nitrosamines; the EU restricts its use and impurity limits.
For educational use only. This page summarizes the regulatory status of Triethanolaminewith citations to the primary sources below. It is not medical advice. Regulatory status is not the same as a proven health effect — read the cited sources for their exact wording, and consult a doctor for decisions about your or your family's health.
Choose EU-compliant or 'free-from' formulations and read the INCI list. BannedPantry flags this ingredient and suggests safer swaps.
Triethanolamine is restricted under the EU Cosmetics Regulation (1223/2009), but it is allowed in US personal-care products.
Yes — Triethanolamine can still appear in US-sold cosmetics and personal-care products because US rules are far less restrictive than the EU's.
Read the INCI ingredient list on the back of the package. Scan the barcode with BannedPantry to flag Triethanolamine automatically.
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.
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