Ingredient Index

Is Triethanolamine banned in Europe?

Restricted in EU

No: triethanolamine (TEA) is restricted, not banned, in the EU. It is allowed under Annex III with nitrosamine and purity limits. The US permits it too, so this is a restriction, not a prohibition.

CAS: 102-71-6 Also seen as: TEA, Trolamine, 2,2',2''-Nitrilotriethanol

What the EU does

Restricted, not banned. Triethanolamine, usually shortened to TEA, is a pH adjuster and emulsifier on Annex III of the EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009. It is permitted subject to conditions aimed at nitrosamine control: it must not be used with nitrosating agents, the secondary-amine content of the raw material is limited, nitrosamine content in the finished product is capped (around 50 micrograms per kilogram), and it must be kept in nitrite-free containers. There are separate maximum-use conditions for leave-on and rinse-off products.

The concern is the same amine chemistry that governs its DEA relatives: under the wrong conditions, ethanolamines can form nitrosamines, some of which are suspected carcinogens. The EU's answer is a set of purity-and-handling rules rather than a ban. That distinction matters, because triethanolamine is not on the prohibited Annex II. It is a controlled, still-legal ingredient in the EU.

Citation Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex III (triethanolamine, nitrosamine and secondary-amine limits); SCCS opinion on ethanolamines

What the US does

Permitted, with no EU-style rulebook. The US allows triethanolamine in cosmetics and does not impose the specific nitrosamine caps and container requirements the EU spells out. It is common in creams, lotions, sunscreens, and cleansers as a pH buffer and to help oil and water mix. The industry safety panel (the Cosmetic Ingredient Review) has judged it safe at low concentrations in products designed to be rinsed off or with limited skin contact, and manufacturers manage nitrosamine risk voluntarily.

So this is a restriction gradient, not a wall. Both regions permit TEA; the EU wraps it in explicit nitrosamine-prevention conditions, and the US relies more on industry practice. If you have read that TEA is "banned in Europe", that is inaccurate. The banned member of this chemical family is plain diethanolamine (DEA); triethanolamine is the restricted one.

Citation Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) assessment of triethanolamine; FDA cosmetic ingredient status

Products that commonly contain it

TEA is a pH-balancing and emulsifying helper found in many everyday products:

Face and body lotions and creams
Sunscreens and some makeup (as a pH adjuster)
Cleansers, liquid soaps, and shaving products
Eyeliners, mascaras, and fragrances

What to look for on a label

On the label:

"Triethanolamine", "TEA", or "trolamine" on the INCI list
It is a different ingredient from DEA (banned in EU) and MEA
EU-market products must meet the nitrosamine and secondary-amine limits
Its presence is routine formulation chemistry, not a safety alarm

Or skip the squinting: paste the whole ingredient list into our checker and it flags everything in our database. Nothing you paste leaves your browser.

Frequently asked questions

Is triethanolamine (TEA) banned in Europe?

No. It is restricted, not banned. TEA is allowed under Annex III of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 with nitrosamine and secondary-amine limits and handling conditions.

What is the difference between TEA and DEA?

Diethanolamine (DEA) is banned in EU cosmetics (Annex II). Triethanolamine (TEA) is permitted under Annex III restrictions. They are different amines with different EU statuses.

Is triethanolamine legal in the US?

Yes. The US permits it without the EU's specific nitrosamine caps; the Cosmetic Ingredient Review has assessed it as safe at low levels under the intended use conditions.

Why is TEA restricted?

Under the wrong conditions ethanolamines can form nitrosamines, some suspected carcinogens. The EU sets purity and handling limits to keep those byproducts to trace levels.

Related ingredients

Primary sources

Last reviewed July 6, 2026 · How we assign statuses