Tea-Glyceryl Dimaleate: What Is It, Cosmetic Uses, Benefits & Side Effects

Curious about this ingredient? In this article we're explaining exactly what it is and why it's used within cosmetic formulations.
Updated on: June 30, 2025
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We verify all information on this page using publicly available nomenclature standards from The Personal Care Products Council (PCPC), the European Commission's CosIng database and documentation provided directly by ingredient manufacturers. Our analysis is based on technical data from these sources to ensure accuracy and reliability.

What Is Tea-Glyceryl Dimaleate?

Tea-Glyceryl Dimaleate is a specialty ingredient made by linking glycerin with maleic acid to form a diester, then neutralizing that diester with triethanolamine. The result is a water-soluble salt that blends smoothly into cosmetic formulas. Because glycerin is a plant-derived humectant and maleic acid comes from natural sugars, the raw materials often start with renewable crops such as corn or sugar beet. The finished ingredient first gained notice in professional salon treatments aimed at reinforcing fragile hair, then found its way into mainstream products as chemists looked for gentler alternatives to silicones and heavy oils. Manufacturing begins with controlled esterification of glycerin and maleic acid, followed by careful pH adjustment using triethanolamine to create a stable liquid or powder that is easy to dose during production.

You will most often spot Tea-Glyceryl Dimaleate in rinse-off and leave-in hair masks, nourishing conditioners, bond-repair sprays, smoothing creams and color-protecting treatments where extra care is needed after heat styling or bleaching.

Tea-Glyceryl Dimaleate’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses

When added to a formula this ingredient focuses on one key role that brings visible payoff for the user.

Hair conditioning: Tea-Glyceryl Dimaleate helps smooth the hair cuticle, improves slip during combing, reduces static and leaves strands feeling softer and more flexible. It can also support the hair fiber after chemical services, making hair look healthier and easier to manage.

Who Can Use Tea-Glyceryl Dimaleate

Because it is primarily used in haircare, Tea-Glyceryl Dimaleate rarely meets direct facial skin yet it is considered gentle enough for all scalp and hair types including dry, oily, normal and even sensitive. The molecule is water soluble and lightweight so it will not weigh down fine strands or leave heavy residue on oily scalps. No specific skin or scalp type is advised to avoid it unless an individual has a known allergy to triethanolamine or maleic acid derivatives.

The raw materials are plant based and synthetically processed with no animal-derived components, making the ingredient suitable for vegans and vegetarians.

Current safety assessments do not flag Tea-Glyceryl Dimaleate as a concern for pregnant or breastfeeding women when used topically in rinse-off or leave-in hair products. This is not medical advice; anyone who is pregnant or nursing should check with a healthcare professional before starting any new cosmetic product just to be safe.

The ingredient does not increase photosensitivity so there is no added need for extra sun protection beyond normal daily habits.

Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions

Responses to topical Tea-Glyceryl Dimaleate differ from person to person. The following are potential side effects that could occur, though most users will not experience them when products are formulated correctly.

  • Mild scalp redness or itching
  • Transient stinging if the product gets into the eyes
  • Allergic contact dermatitis in individuals sensitive to triethanolamine or maleic acid derivatives
  • Product buildup on hair when used in very high concentrations or layered with heavy styling products

If any uncomfortable reaction develops stop using the product and consult a healthcare professional or dermatologist.

Comedogenic Rating

Rating: 0–1

Tea-Glyceryl Dimaleate is water soluble and lightweight so it rinses away easily without leaving greasy film that could block pores. It also lacks the long fatty chains found in many pore-clogging oils. For those reasons formulators consider it non-comedogenic to very low on the scale.

This makes the ingredient generally fine for people prone to acne or breakouts.

Because it is almost always used in hair products that are washed out or applied mainly to lengths of hair, direct contact with facial skin is limited which further reduces the chance of clogged pores.

Summary

Tea-Glyceryl Dimaleate is a hair-conditioning agent that smooths the cuticle, improves slip during detangling, cuts down static and helps fragile strands look healthier after chemical or heat styling. It does this by forming a thin water-friendly layer on the hair shaft that holds moisture and reduces surface roughness without heavy buildup.

While not yet a household name like argan oil or keratin, it has been gaining steady popularity in salon bond-repair treatments and newer at-home masks because it offers softness without the weight of silicones.

Current research and cosmetic safety panels rate it as low risk for irritation or pore clogging when used as directed. Still, everyone’s skin is unique so it is smart to patch test any new product that contains Tea-Glyceryl Dimaleate before full use.

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