A secondary amino alcohol, listed as a buffering agent and linked to an Annex II entry.
What it is
Diethanolamine is 2,2'-iminodiethanol, a secondary amine with two hydroxyethyl groups, often abbreviated as DEA. CosIng lists it as a buffering agent. The EU data link this ingredient to an entry in Annex II (prohibited substances).
Where it is used
Appears on the ingredient lists of a small number of products.
Limits of interpretation
The INCI list shows which ingredients are present, not how much of each. Above 1%, ingredients are listed in descending order of weight; below 1% the order is free.
See the EU regulation section for what the Annex II entry covers and how it applies.
Functions
- Buffering
- Stabilising the pH of an aqueous medium in a narrow range even if an acid or base is added. Altering and/or maintaining a cosmetic product's pH at the desired level.
EU regulation
EU · Annex II, entry 411Secondary alkyl- and alkanolamines and their salts
- As of
- 3 November 2026 · (EC) 2009/1223