Triethanolamine, also known as tris(2-hydroxyethyl)amine, is an organic compound that can be regarded as the trihydroxy derivative of triethylamine, with the chemical formula C6H15NO3. Similar to other amine compounds, due to the presence of a lone pair of electrons on the nitrogen atom, triethanolamine exhibits weak alkalinity and can react with inorganic or organic acids to form salts.

Chemical formula: C6H15NO3
Molecular weight: 149.188
CAS number: 102-71-6
EINECS number: 203-049-8

Melting point: 21°C
Boiling point: 335.4°C
Density: 1.124 g/cm3

1. In cosmetics (including skin cleansers, eye gels, moisturizers, shampoos, etc.), it is used as an emulsifier, humectant, moisturizing agent, thickener, and pH balancer. In cosmetic formulations, it is employed to neutralize fatty acids into soaps and sulfated fatty acids into amine salts. Triethanolamine is a commonly used emulsifier in cream preparations. Cream products emulsified with triethanolamine exhibit a fine texture and bright white appearance. Additionally, the colloidal phase formed by triethanolamine with higher fatty acids or higher fatty alcohols demonstrates good stability, ensuring product quality and allowing for a high proportion of additional ingredients. Triethanolamine is the most commonly used neutralizing agent for acidic polymer gels such as carbomer. By neutralizing the carboxyl groups of carbomer, triethanolamine forms a stable polymer structure, achieving thickening and moisturizing effects.