Triethanolamine (TEA or TEOA) is an oily, viscous organic chemical compound that is a tertiary amine and a triol (a molecule with three alcohol groups). TEA is a bifunctional compound that exhibits both properties of alcohols and amines. The compound is used to make surfactants in industrial and cosmetics as a pH adjuster for skin and hair conditioning products as well as sunscreen lotions, liquid laundry detergents, polishes, and paints.
