Tea stearate (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. "Stearate" refers to the salt or ester of stearic acid.

TEA-stearate is a substance which is used in cosmetic formulations where it acts as a surfactant (washing-active substance; improves the even distribution of the products during application) and emulsifier (surface-active substance which is used in cosmetic preparations as an additive to combine 2 immiscible liquids - e.g. oil and water - to form an emulsion).