Diethanolamine (DEA), Monoethanolamine (MEA), and Triethanolamine (TEA) are hormone-disrupting chemicals used in personal care products as emulsifiers or foaming agents that can form cancer-causing nitrates and nitrosamines, especially with repeated and prolonged use. Ethanolamines are clear, colorless, viscous liquids with ammonia-like odors, which have the combined properties of alcohols and amines. They reduce the surface tension of substances so that water-soluble and oil-soluble ingredients can be blended together. They're also used to control the pH level of products. You'll find these ingredients in products that foam, including bubble baths, body washes, shampoos, soaps, and facial cleaners. They're also found in eyeliners, mascara, eye shadows, blush, make-up bases and foundations, fragrances, hair care products, hair dyes, shaving products, and sunscreens
These chemicals are already restricted in Europe due to known carcinogenic effects. In the United States however, they are still used despite the fact that Americans may be exposed to them 10-20 times per day with different products. Dr. Samuel Epstein (a medical doctor, and currently professor emeritus of environmental and occupational health at the University of Illinois at the Chicago School of Public Health) says that repeated skin applications of DEA-based detergents resulted in major increase in incidence of liver and kidney cancer. The FDA's John Bailey says this is especially important since "the risk equation changes significantly for children."
You'll be surprised at how many products have DEA, MEA, and TEA in them, including so-called natural and organic ones.
Avoid products with the following toxic ingredients in them:
- Cocamide DEA or Cocamide Diethanolamine
- Cocamide MEA or Cocamide Monoethanolamine
- DEA-Cetyl Phosphate
- DEA Oleth-3 Phosphate
- DEA Lauryl Sulfate or Diethanolamine Lauryl Sulfate
- Lauramide DEA or Lauramide Diethanolamine
- Linoleamide DEA or or Linoleamide Diethanolamine
- Linoleamide MEA
- Myristamide DEA
- Oleamide DEA or Oleamide Diethanolamine
- Stearamide MEA
- TEA-Lauryl Sulfate
- TEA or Triethanolamine
Sources:
Organic Beauty Talk – Ingredients To Avoid
Campaign for Safe Cosmetics – Nitrosamines
Skin Deep Database
Cancer Prevention Coalition - Cosmetics and Personal Care Products Can be Cancer Risks
Lavera Ingredient Watch - Diethanolamine (DEA)
Annmarie Gianni Skin Care – Ingredient Watch List: Ethanolamines
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