Tea-cocoyl sarcosiate (inci)

"TEA" is the acronym for triethanolamine, a quaternary ammonium compound. Triethanolamine reacts readily with fatty acids to form triethanolamine soaps and is used as a basic component in soaps and other cosmetic products. The name component "Cocoyl" means that the ingredient contains fatty acids from coconut oil (Cocos Nucifera Oil) among others as fatty acid components. Sarcosinates are N-acyl derivatives of sarcosine (N-methylglycine, an amino acid).

TEA-cocoyl sarcosiate is a substance used in cosmetic formulations where it acts as a surfactant (washing-active substance; improves the even distribution of products during application) and hair conditioning agent (makes hair easy to comb, supple, soft and shiny and adds volume).