An amino alcohol used as a buffering agent, regulated in Annex III.
What it is
Dimethyl MEA is 2-dimethylaminoethanol, also known as DMAE, a small amino alcohol with a tertiary amine group. CosIng lists it as a buffering ingredient. In the EU it is covered by an entry in Annex III (substances subject to restrictions) for leave-on and rinse-off products.
Where it is used
Found in skin care products such as creams and serums.
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 the applicable limits and conditions. The label does not show the concentration actually used.
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 III, entry 62Trialkylamines, trialkanolamines and their salts
- Product type
- (a) Leave-on products (b) Rinse-off products
- Maximum concentration
- (a) 2.5%
- As of
- 3 November 2026 · (EC) 2009/1223