TEA-Isostearate
AKA: Triethanolamine isostearate, 88120-12-1, Isooctadecanoic acid, Compound with 2, 2''-nitrilotriethanol (1:1), ISOSTEARIC ACID TRIETHANOLAMINE SALT, ETHANOL, ISOOCTADECANOATE (SALT), TEA-ISOSTEARATE [INCI]
Plant-Derived
Cleanser
Emulsifier
Skin Conditioner
Hair Care
Not Clean
Isooctadecanoic acid, compound with 2,2',2''-nitrilotriethanol (1:1)
Formula
C24H51NO5
Mol. Weight
433.70
CAS #
88120-12-1
Functions
Cleansing
Makes oil and water mix so dirt, makeup, and sunscreen can actually be washed away. The reason your face wash foams.
Hair Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Cleansing
Makes oil and water mix so dirt, makeup, and sunscreen can actually be washed away. The reason your face wash foams.
Emulsifying
Forces oil and water to stay mixed instead of separating into layers. The unsung hero holding your lotion together.
Removes Impurities
Conditions Hair
Cleansing Surfactant
Emulsifier
Traditional Use
Created by saponifying isostearic acid (a branched fatty acid) with triethanolamine in the 20th century. Developed to improve spreadability and conditioning properties in cosmetic formulations.
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
Restricted By
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Agencies
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewednone on file
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️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