Monoethanolamine
molecular structure · PubChem
AKA: 2-aminoethanol, 141-43-5, 2-Aminoethan-1-ol, 2-Hydroxyethylamine, Colamine, Aminoethanol
Synthetic
Skin Conditioner
Not Clean
Monoethanolamine is a first generation monoethanolamine with antihistaminic property. Ethanolamine competes with free histamine for binding at the histamine (H)-1 receptor thereby acting as an inverse agonist that combines with and stabilizes the inactive form of the H1-receptor thereby shifting the equilibrium toward the inactive state. This leads to a reduction of the negative symptoms brought on by H1-receptor binding.
Solubility greater than or equal to 100 mg/mL at 68 °F (NTP, 1992)
Formula
C2H7NO
Mol. Weight
61.08
CAS #
141-43-5
Form
Liquid
State
Ethanolamine appears as a clear colorless liquid with an odor resembling that of ammonia. Flash point 185 °F. May attack copper, brass, and rubber. Corrosive to tissue. Moderately toxic. Produces toxi
Functions
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Buffering
Anti-Inflammatory
Boosts Collagen
Wound Healing
Maintains optimal pH
Traditional Use
First synthesized in the early 20th century and adopted by the cosmetics industry as a pH adjuster and emulsifier. Used to neutralize acidic ingredients and create stable emulsions in skincare and haircare products.
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Caution
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Agencies
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory0 listings
🛡️Safety-assessed1 review →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR