What is Triethanolamine?

Triethanolamine (TEA) is a clear, colourless, viscous liquid with a slight ammonia odour that is widely used as a corrosion inhibitor, surfactant, and intermediate in a variety of products including metalworking fluids, motor oils, fuels, paints, inks, cements, cosmetics, and personal products, as well as in herbicide and algaecide formulations.

Uses

In pharmaceuticals

Triethanolamine (TEA) is used in the pharmaceutical field as an excipient or solubiliser in the formulation of topical and oral medicines. Simply put, it helps to dissolve the active ingredient in the formulation so that it can be effectively absorbed by the body. Mixed systems consisting of triethanolamine-ethanol-isopropyl myristate have been shown to improve skin penetration of acidic drugs. TEA is also used as an active ingredient in ear drops for the treatment of embedded earwax. In addition, 1% TEA as a capping agent helps to maintain the stability of colloidal gold nanoparticles and the synthesised gold nanoparticles showed strong antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus.

In Skincare Products

Triethanolamine (TEA) is used as a pH regulator, surfactant, emulsifier and thickener in skin care products. TEA has been found to work well with acidic compounds, lowering their pH to safe levels for sensitive skin. However, it also works in the opposite direction, stabilising higher pH values to more acceptable skin care levels. Adding TEA to hand soaps, sunscreens, and lotions also helps stabilise the consistency, improves texture, and promotes easy application of the product.

References:

[1] LIANG FANG. The enhancing effect of a triethanolamine-ethanol-isopropyl myristate mixed system on the skin permeation of acidic drugs.[J]. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin, 2002. DOI:10.1248/bpb.25.1339.

[2] GRANERO GLADYS; Longhi M; Garnero Claudia. The effect of pH and triethanolamine on sulfisoxazole complexation with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin[J]. European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2003. DOI:10.1016/S0928-0987(03)00202-1.

[3] ARIEF SYUKRI. High antibacterial properties of green synthesized gold nanoparticles using Uncaria gambir Roxb. leaf extract and triethanolamine[J]. journal of applied pharmaceutical science, 2020. DOI:10.7324/japs.2020.10814.