Moderate Cosmetic Ingredient

Ethanolamine

INCI: ETHANOLAMINE

CAS Number
141-43-5 [^1_14]
Function
pH adjuster / Buffering
Safety Rating
MODERATE

Regulatory Status

🇪🇺 EU Status restricted
EU Max Conc. 0.5%
🇺🇸 US Status permitted
US Notes Permitted — CIR concluded safe in rinse-off products only when formulated to be non-irritating; should not be used where N-nitroso compounds may form

For full compliance data across 55 jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.

Safety Data

Margin of Safety (MoS)
adequate
Dermal Absorption
high
Sensitization
moderate

Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.

Expert Verdict

Skin corrosive at undiluted concentrations (H314); acute toxicity via oral, dermal, and inhalation routes; primary concern is nitrosamine formation and potential carcinogenicity; restricted in EU finished products; permitted in US for rinse-off applications only when formulated to prevent irritation and nitrosamine formation.

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Concern Level: High

Regulatory Flags

epa_safer_alternative ifra_fragrance fda_food_additive

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ethanolamine safe in cosmetics?

Skin corrosive at undiluted concentrations (H314); acute toxicity via oral, dermal, and inhalation routes; primary concern is nitrosamine formation and potential carcinogenicity; restricted in EU finished products; permitted in US for rinse-off applications only when formulated to prevent irritation and nitrosamine formation. The EU classifies Ethanolamine as "restricted". Safety rating: MODERATE.

Is Ethanolamine allowed in the EU?

Ethanolamine EU regulatory status: restricted. Maximum allowed concentration: 0.5%. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.

What does Ethanolamine do in cosmetics?

Ethanolamine functions as: pH adjuster / Buffering. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 141-43-5 [^1_14].

What is the Margin of Safety for Ethanolamine?

adequate The Margin of Safety (MoS) is calculated using SCCS methodology. A MoS above 100 is generally considered safe. Use the MoS Calculator tool to calculate MoS for your specific formulation and product category.

Compliance Tools

Check Ethanolamine compliance across multiple jurisdictions:

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Ingredient Decoder
Paste a full ingredient list for instant analysis
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82 Allergen Checker
Check for EU declarable fragrance allergens
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Substance Compliance
Check compliance across 55 jurisdictions
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MoS Calculator
Calculate Margin of Safety using SCCS methodology
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Heavy Metal Limits
Compare limits across jurisdictions

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