What Is Tea-Myristyl Aspartate?
Tea-Myristyl Aspartate is an ester made by joining myristyl alcohol, a fatty alcohol usually sourced from coconut or palm kernel oil, with aspartic acid, an amino acid found in plants. The resulting molecule is then neutralized with triethanolamine, giving it the “TEA” part of its name. This clever combination links a fat-loving chain to a water-friendly amino acid, creating a mild surfactant that can mix oil and water with ease.
Formulators began turning to Tea-Myristyl Aspartate in the early 2000s when consumers started asking for gentler, skin-friendly cleansers. Because the ingredient offers effective cleansing without the tight, squeaky feel of harsher soaps, it quickly found a home in wash-off products aimed at sensitive skin.
Commercial production starts with plant-derived myristyl alcohol that is reacted with aspartic acid under controlled heat to form the ester bond. The resulting compound is then treated with triethanolamine to adjust pH and improve water solubility. The final powder or liquid concentrate is easy to add during the cool-down phase of cosmetic manufacturing.
You will see Tea-Myristyl Aspartate on ingredient lists for facial cleansers, body washes, micellar waters, foaming masks, baby shampoos and even some wipe-off makeup removers where a soft, creamy lather is desired.
Tea-Myristyl Aspartate’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
In formulas this ingredient serves a straightforward yet important role
- Cleansing – its balanced structure helps lift away dirt, excess oil and makeup while leaving the skin surface feeling comfortable and conditioned, making it ideal for daily use on delicate or easily irritated skin
Who Can Use Tea-Myristyl Aspartate
Thanks to its gentle cleansing profile Tea-Myristyl Aspartate suits most skin types including dry, sensitive or mature skin that dislikes harsh foaming agents. Normal and combination skin generally tolerate it well while those with very oily or acne-prone skin may prefer a stronger surfactant blend since this ingredient is designed for mildness over deep degreasing.
The compound is manufactured from plant-derived fatty alcohol, plant amino acid and synthetic triethanolamine with no animal inputs so it is considered suitable for vegetarians and vegans. If palm sources are a concern look for brands that specify sustainably certified supply chains.
There are no published concerns about topical use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Still this is not medical advice and anyone who is pregnant or nursing should review any skincare product with a qualified healthcare provider to be safe.
Tea-Myristyl Aspartate is not known to increase photosensitivity and can be used morning or night without requiring extra sun precautions beyond a normal daily SPF.
The ingredient is also mild enough for children’s products and does not interfere with actives such as retinoids or vitamin C so it can be layered within multi-step routines without issue.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Individual responses to topical Tea-Myristyl Aspartate vary. The points below list potential side effects that could occur even though most users will experience none of them when the ingredient is correctly formulated and used as directed.
- Mild skin irritation such as transient redness or itching in very sensitive individuals
- Allergic contact dermatitis in those already sensitized to fatty alcohols or triethanolamine derivatives
- Eye stinging or watering if cleanser residue enters the eyes before rinsing
- Temporary tightness on extremely dry skin when used without a follow-up moisturizer
- Rare clogged pores on users who are highly acne prone and leave rinse-off products on the skin too long
If any unexpected reaction occurs discontinue use immediately and consult a healthcare professional.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 1/5. While Tea-Myristyl Aspartate contains a fatty alcohol chain, it is chemically bound to aspartic acid and neutralized with triethanolamine, creating a water-soluble ester that rinses away cleanly. The molecule does not behave like free myristyl alcohol and does not linger on skin long enough to block pores in typical wash-off formulas. Therefore it poses only a very low risk of triggering blackheads or breakouts. Most people prone to acne can comfortably use products that contain this ingredient, especially if the product is designed to be rinsed off.
Because comedogenicity can rise slightly in very rich leave-on emulsions, shoppers with stubborn acne should still scan the overall formula for highly occlusive oils or waxes that might raise the pore-clogging potential even when Tea-Myristyl Aspartate itself is benign.
Summary
Tea-Myristyl Aspartate is a mild plant-derived surfactant whose main job is cleansing. Its dual nature—oil-loving fatty chain plus water-loving amino acid—lets it remove dirt, oil and makeup while leaving skin soft rather than squeaky. Because it is gentle it shows up in sensitive skin cleansers, baby washes and micellar waters, though it is still less famous than big-name surfactants like cocamidopropyl betaine so you may not see it on every store shelf.
Safety data and real-world use point to a very low irritation or sensitization rate, making it a dependable choice for nearly all skin types. As with any new cosmetic ingredient it is smart to patch test a small area first to be sure your skin agrees with it.