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Home/Ingredient Guide/DEA, MEA & TEA (Ethanolamines)
Ingredient guide

DEA, MEA & TEA (Ethanolamines).

Also known as: diethanolamine, monoethanolamine, triethanolamine, cocamide DEA, lauramide DEA, TEA-lauryl sulfate

A group of amino acid-based emulsifiers and pH adjusters.

Regulations

Global status.

How dea, mea & tea (ethanolamines) is regulated in cosmetics around the world.

Restricted in 9Allowed in 1No data for 1

90% of countries with data ban or restrict this ingredient

🇺🇸USA
Restricted
Details

CIR recommends DEA should not be used with nitrosating agents; no formal FDA ban.

🇪🇺EU
Restricted
Details

DEA banned under Annex II; MEA and TEA permitted but must not be used with nitrosating agents.

🇬🇧UK
Restricted
Details

DEA banned; MEA/TEA restricted re nitrosamine formation.

🇨🇦Canada
Restricted
Details

DEA restricted on Hotlist; must not be used with nitrosating agents.

🇯🇵Japan
Restricted
Details

DEA restricted; must not form nitrosamines.

🇰🇷S. Korea
Restricted
Details

DEA restricted; secondary amine limits to prevent nitrosamines.

🇦🇺Australia
Allowed
🇨🇳China
Restricted
Details

DEA restricted; must not combine with nitrosating systems.

🇧🇷Brazil
Restricted
Details

DEA restricted to prevent nitrosamine formation per ANVISA.

🇮🇳India
No Data
🌏ASEAN
Restricted
Details

DEA banned; MEA/TEA restricted re nitrosamines, aligned with EU.

Why it’s used

The reason brands include it.

Act as emulsifiers, foaming agents, and pH adjusters. They create creamy textures and help blend oil and water phases in formulations.

1

products in our database

1

brands use it

3

product categories

Categories

DEA, MEA & TEA (Ethanolamines) in product types.

Click a category to see every product containing dea, mea & tea (ethanolamines).

Alternatives

Common alternatives.

decyl glucoside
coco glucoside
sodium cocoyl glutamate
citric acid (for pH adjustment)

What Numbrrrz uses

Numbrrrz does not use dea, mea & tea (ethanolamines). Every tube is organic coconut oil, organic beeswax, organic jojoba oil and vitamin E, plus organic essential oils or flavoring in the scented versions.

Questions

Quick answers.

What is DEA, MEA & TEA (Ethanolamines)?
A group of amino acid-based emulsifiers and pH adjusters.
Why is DEA, MEA & TEA (Ethanolamines) used in cosmetics?
Act as emulsifiers, foaming agents, and pH adjusters. They create creamy textures and help blend oil and water phases in formulations.
How is DEA, MEA & TEA (Ethanolamines) regulated?
Not banned in the US. FDA advises manufacturers to remove nitrosamines from products but does not enforce testing. It is not permitted in cosmetics sold in the EU. Canada restricts its use in cosmetics.
Does Numbrrrz contain DEA, MEA & TEA (Ethanolamines)?
No. Numbrrrz is made from four base ingredients: organic coconut oil, organic beeswax, organic jojoba oil and vitamin E, plus organic essential oils or flavoring in the scented versions. That is a formulation choice, not a judgment about other products.
Related comparisons

How these brands stack up.

Side-by-side ingredient comparisons with brands whose products list dea, mea & tea (ethanolamines).

Four base ingredients

Prefer a short label?

Organic coconut oil, organic beeswax, organic jojoba oil and vitamin E, in a 0.5 oz (14 g) USDA Organic tube.