DEA, MEA and TEA: Three Letters to Know
DEA, MEA and TEA help shampoo foam. Here's the chemistry worth knowing.
Transcript
Three letters that can turn into something else. DEA, MEA and TEA help shampoos foam and feel thick. Over time, they can form nitrosamines, some probable carcinogens. The EU bans DEA in cosmetics. Our Shampoo and Conditioner Bar lathers with saponified plant oils instead. Simple formulas, fewer questions.
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DEA, MEA and TEA: Ethanolamines and Nitrosamine Risk
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Key points from the full guide
- DEA, MEA, and TEA are ethanolamines used to make foam, thicken formulas, emulsify, and adjust pH.
- Under certain conditions they can react with other ingredients or contaminants to form nitrosamines, some of which are probable carcinogens.
- Diethanolamine and cocamide DEA are classified by IARC as possibly carcinogenic to humans, based on animal studies.
- The EU bans DEA in cosmetics and restricts MEA and TEA; look for DEA, MEA, or TEA in ingredient names.
Read the full guide: DEA, MEA and TEA: Ethanolamines and Nitrosamine Risk