Tea-laurate (inci)

"TEA" is the acronym for triethanolamine, a quaternary ammonium compound. Triethanolamine reacts easily with fatty acids to form triethanolamine soaps and is used as a basic component in soaps and other cosmetic products. Laurates are salts or esters of lauric acid (dodecanoic acid).

TEA-laurate is a substance which is used in cosmetic formulations where it acts as an emulsifier (surface-active substance which is used in cosmetic products as an additive to combine two immiscible liquids - e.g. oil and water - to form an emulsion) and foaming agent (increases the foam formation and improves the volume, structure and durability of the foam).