Triethanolamine is an  organic chemical compound that is often found abbreviated as TEA. The primary uses of Triethanolamine are as an emulsifier and surfactant. An emulsifier is a chemical that when added to a formula stops chemicals that don’t normally mix, from separating. The use of an emulsifier would bring even oil and water together if you found the right one. A surfactant is a chemical agent that prevents liquids like water from being so tightly bound, it encourages the liquid to spread out and cover far more surface area that it might on its own.

Another very useful attribute of this chemical is that it can be used to balance the PH of a cosmetics product, making a product that contains things like alcohol and other acidic cleansers into a softer more easy to handle product that won’t irritate the skin as easily. Despite the fact that it is listed as an irritant itself, when used in combination with more acidic products they balance each other out and make the final product far more helpful to your skin or hair (however it is being used) so long as the use of the final product is not continuous over a long period of time.

In it’s natural state Triethanolamine is a clear viscous (thick) liquid that smells faintly like ammonia. In studies it has shown to be a mild irritant and there are many limitations on its uses and the amount being used at any given time. It is a small percentage (usually less than 1%) that is allowed in any skin care formula because long-term exposure has been shown to have side-effects. But in the one time use of a Detox Shampoo there are no worries.