Tea-tridecylbenzenesulfonates (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. This ingredient also contains tridecyl alcohol (1-tridecanol) as alcoholic component. Sulfonates are salts or esters of sulfonic acids (alkanesulfonic acids, alkyl sulfuric acids).

TEA-tridecylbenzenesulfonates are substances which are used in cosmetic formulations where they act as surfactants (washing-active substance; improves the even distribution of the products during application).