Triethyl Citrate ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is used mainly as a solvent, fragrance carrier, plasticizer, and deodorant-support ingredient. In deodorants, it helps limit odor formation by being converted on skin into acidifying components that make odor-producing enzyme activity less favorable.
What does Triethyl Citrate do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is used mainly as a solvent, fragrance carrier, plasticizer, and deodorant-support ingredient. In deodorants, it helps limit odor formation by being converted on skin into acidifying components that make odor-producing enzyme activity less favorable.
Is Triethyl Citrate clean?
It is generally well tolerated in leave-on and rinse-off products, with low sensitization concern compared with many fragrance solvents. Clean-beauty standards usually treat it as an acceptable functional ingredient when purity and fragrance-allergen disclosure are handled properly.
Is Triethyl Citrate sustainable?
This material can be made from renewable fermentation-derived inputs, though sourcing depends on the supplier. It is expected to biodegrade readily and does not raise the persistence concerns associated with many silicone or fluorinated materials.
Is Triethyl Citrate COSMOS-approved?
It is permitted under COSMOS when made from allowed raw materials and compliant processing routes. Its profile fits Green Chemistry reasonably well because it can use bio-based feedstocks, has low persistence, and is made through straightforward esterification chemistry.
How does Triethyl Citrate work chemically?
The molecule is a small, polar, multifunctional ester with both solvency and plasticizing behavior, which helps it blend fragrance materials and soften film-forming systems. Typical deodorant use is often around 1 to 5 percent, and it is generally stable in mildly acidic to neutral formulas but can slowly hydrolyze under strongly acidic or alkaline conditions.
Last updated 2026-05-13