DEA, TEA and MEA compounds

Never allowedReviewed September 18, 2026

Cocamide DEA · Cocamide MEA · Lauramide DEA · Triethanolamine · Diethanolamine · Ethanolamines

Foaming agents and pH adjusters.

What it does: Cleansing, Stabilisers & pH
Our take: They can react with other ingredients in the formula to form nitrosamines, a class strongly associated with cancer. Cocamide DEA is classified possibly carcinogenic by IARC. We carried one cleaning product with cocamide MEA and discontinued it in September 2026.
Can it clog pores: Low risk. It is not on the acne clinics' pore-clogging lists. This flag is for the face only, it does not apply to body, hair or home care.

What we read

IARC Group 2B · reviewed Sep 2026

Every other ingredient, with the same treatment.

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ParabensPhthalatesFormaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing preservativesPEG compoundsPolysorbatesEthoxylated ingredientsDEA, TEA and MEA compoundsBHA and BHTPetrolatum, mineral oil and paraffinIsothiazolinone preservativesRetinol and retinyl estersHydroquinoneChemical UV filtersTalcCoal tar and synthetic dyesPFAS and fluorinated compoundsTriclosan and triclocarbanAntibacterials and antimicrobials we excludeSynthetic fragranceSynthetic musksSodium lauryl and laureth sulfateEDTA and synthetic chelatorsIndustrial solventsHeavy metalsPlastic microbeads and film-formersAerosol propellantsOther synthetic preservatives we excludeCyclic silicones

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