TEA-Sulfate ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is used mainly as an ionic pH adjuster, neutralizing salt, or auxiliary cleansing and foaming support in water-based formulas. It is not typically the primary active in a formula.
What does TEA-Sulfate do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is used mainly as an ionic pH adjuster, neutralizing salt, or auxiliary cleansing and foaming support in water-based formulas. It is not typically the primary active in a formula.
Is TEA-Sulfate clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, it has friction because it belongs to an alkanolamine-derived salt family associated with nitrosamine-control requirements and restricted-list scrutiny. It is not known as a major sensitizer by itself, but quality controls matter for residual amines, secondary amine impurities, and use with nitrosating agents.
Is TEA-Sulfate sustainable?
This material is typically petrochemical-derived and water soluble. It has no major land-use issue such as palm or mica, but it is not a renewable-feedstock choice.
Is TEA-Sulfate COSMOS-approved?
It is not generally permitted under COSMOS-natural or COSMOS-organic because it is a synthetic alkanolamine-derived salt rather than an approved natural-origin cosmetic material. Its Green Chemistry fit is weak on renewable feedstock and derivation, although water solubility and expected biodegradability are favorable.
How does TEA-Sulfate work chemically?
The molecule is an ionic salt with a protonated tertiary alkanolamine cation paired with an inorganic acid anion, giving high water solubility and little oil affinity. It is used at low auxiliary levels when present, and formulators control pH and nitrosating contaminants because amine-based systems can form nitrosamines under unfavorable conditions.
Last updated 2026-08-31