Ethanolamine
Nasty Ingredients
Ethanolamine
Ethanolamine is a chemical used in many personal care products as a pH adjuster, buffer and surfactantii, as well as in cleaning products. It is very harsh on skin and eyes and can cause severe skin burns, eye damage, is harmful if inhaled and can cause dermatitis from prolonged exposureiii. Monoethanolamine or MEA is known to be contaminated with some Diethanolamine (DEA). DEA is known to form nitrosamines, which are highly carcinogenic compoundsii.
REFERENCES:
ii) CIR MEA
iii) MSDS MEA
INCI Name:
Ethanolamine
Ingredient origins:
Hydrocarbons
Role:
pH Adjuster
Common name:
MEA
EWG score: The EWG score is a hazard score ranging from 1-2 (low hazard), 3-6 (moderate hazard) and 7-10 (high hazard) published by the Environmental Working Group. Their data is sourced from the Skin Deep® database and studies published in open scientific literature.
3 - 6 (depends on usage)