What Is Tea-Laurate?
Tea-Laurate is a compound formed when lauric acid, a fatty acid naturally present in coconut and palm kernel oils, reacts with triethanolamine, a substance derived from plant sugars or petrochemical sources. Together they create a salt that is water soluble and well suited for personal care formulas.
This ingredient gained popularity in the mid-20th century as cosmetic chemists looked for gentler alternatives to traditional soap. By neutralizing lauric acid with triethanolamine they produced a mild cleanser that worked well in the wider pH range preferred for skin care. Manufacturing involves combining purified lauric acid with triethanolamine under controlled heat and mixing until the two create a uniform salt, which is then cooled, milled or spray-dried and added to product bases.
Today you will spot Tea-Laurate in facial cleansers, body washes, shaving foams, bubble baths, exfoliating scrubs, some makeup removers and occasionally in lightweight lotions where a bit of cleansing or foam is desired.
Tea-Laurate’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
In formulas Tea-Laurate pulls double duty, improving both texture and performance.
- Foaming – Whips water and air into a dense lather that helps spread product evenly and gives users the satisfying suds they expect from washes and shaving creams
- Cleansing – Lifts away dirt, oil and leftover makeup without the harshness of many sulfate-based surfactants leaving skin feeling clean yet comfortable
- Emulsifying – Keeps oil and water parts of a recipe blended so the product stays smooth and stable over its shelf life preventing separation in the bottle
Who Can Use Tea-Laurate
Tea-Laurate is generally well tolerated by most skin types, including normal, oily and combination skin, because it cleanses without the tightness some harsher surfactants cause. Dry or very sensitive skin can usually use it in rinse-off products such as cleansers and body washes, but leave-on formulas with high concentrations may feel slightly drying so those users might prefer milder options.
The ingredient is considered suitable for vegans and vegetarians when the lauric acid is sourced from coconut or palm kernels and the triethanolamine is plant derived. If the manufacturer relies on petrochemical feedstocks it is still free of animal inputs, but consumers who want purely plant based origins should check with the brand.
Current cosmetic safety assessments show no specific hazards for pregnant or breastfeeding women at the low levels used in skincare. This is not medical advice and anyone who is expecting or nursing should discuss new products with a healthcare professional to be sure they fit individual needs.
Tea-Laurate does not cause photosensitivity and will not make skin more prone to sunburn. It is also compatible with most other common skincare ingredients and does not interfere with sunscreen actives.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Responses to topical Tea-Laurate vary from person to person. The points below describe potential effects, but most people will not experience them when the ingredient is used correctly in a well-formulated product.
- Temporary skin dryness or tightness if the concentration is high or the product is left on too long
- Mild irritation or redness in individuals with very reactive or compromised skin barriers
- Allergic contact dermatitis in rare cases where someone is sensitive to triethanolamine derivatives
- Eye stinging if a foaming product accidentally gets into the eyes
- Potential formation of trace nitrosamines if the formula also contains strong nitrite preservatives and is stored improperly
If you notice burning, persistent redness, swelling or any other concerning reaction stop using the product and consult a healthcare professional.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 1/5
Tea-Laurate is the water-soluble salt of lauric acid, so it rinses cleanly and leaves very little residue on skin. Because it is typically used in wash-off products and does not linger in pores, the likelihood of it clogging follicles is low. Those prone to acne can usually use products containing Tea-Laurate without added risk, though extremely heavy or leave-on formulas that pair it with occlusive oils could raise the chance of congestion.
Formulators sometimes combine Tea-Laurate with other gentle surfactants to balance foam and mildness, which also helps keep its comedogenic potential minimal.
Summary
Tea-Laurate acts as a foaming agent, cleanser and light emulsifier. Its salt structure mixes water with oils, lifts away dirt and creates stable lather, allowing products to feel creamy yet rinse easily. While not the trendiest new ingredient, it remains a reliable workhorse in cleansers, body washes and shaving foams where gentle performance matters.
Safety reviews find Tea-Laurate non-sensitising for most users and free of major health flags when used at standard cosmetic levels. Still, skin is personal so it is smart to patch test any new product first to be sure it suits your individual needs.