TEA-Lactate
molecular structure · PubChem
AKA: Triethanolamine lactate, 20475-12-1, 2-[bis(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]ethanol;2-hydroxypropanoic acid
Plant-Derived
Humectant
Skin Conditioner
Chemical Exfoliant
Not Clean
Tris(2-Hydroxyethyl)ammonium lactate
Formula
C9H21NO6
Mol. Weight
239.27
CAS #
20475-12-1
Form
Liquid
Functions
Humectant
A moisture magnet. Pulls water from the air and deeper skin layers up to the surface to keep skin plump and hydrated.
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Locks In Moisture
Traditional Use
Synthesized by combining triethanolamine with lactic acid in modern cosmetics. Developed to provide gentle humectant and buffering properties while drawing from the traditional skin-care use of lactic acid from milk.
EWG
5
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
Restricted By
CIR Safety Findings
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Phototoxicity Concern
Regulatory Agencies
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewednone on file
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed3 reviews →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR