Tea salicylates (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. Salicylates are salts or esters of salicylic acid (2-hydroxybenzoic acid).

TEA-salicylate is a substance which is used in cosmetic formulations and acts there as a preservative (substance which is used in cosmetic preparations as a preservative; inhibits the growth of microorganisms). (The general conditions for preservatives which may be used in cosmetics are defined in the EC Cosmetics Regulation - 1223/2009 - Annex V).

1. The Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL) Manage risks - protect consumers: https://www.bvl.bund.de/DE/03_Verbraucherprodukte/03_AntragstellerUnternehmen/02_Kosmetik/04_Inhaltsstoffe/bgs_fuerAntragsteller_kosmetik_gesetzlicheRegelung_inhaltsstoffe_node.html