Red flag
Evidence key Strong Moderate Weak How we grade
Banned in EU cosmetics Possible carcinogen Chemical of concern
- What it can be used for
- Keeps the pH steady (the functions the EU ingredient database, CosIng, lists for it; a product may use it for any of them)
- CAS number
- 111-42-2
Why it’s flagged
Prohibited in cosmetics in the EU.
- Annex II entry 411. Source: EU Cosmetics Regulation, Annex II (prohibited)
Annex II of the EU Cosmetics Regulation lists substances that must not be used in cosmetics sold in the EU.
Classified as a possible or suspected human carcinogen.
- IARC Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans). Source: IARC Monographs list of classifications
IARC Group 2B means possibly carcinogenic to humans. EU Carc. 2 means suspected human carcinogen. These describe a hazard, not the risk at the amount in one product.
Listed as a chemical of concern by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.
- “Ethanolamine compounds (DEA, MEA, TEA)”. Source: Campaign for Safe Cosmetics
The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics is an advocacy group. Its profiles explain why it considers these ingredients a concern.
What the research says
- Two no-lye hair relaxer kits marketed for children had the highest measured levels of chemicals banned in EU cosmetics or listed under California's Proposition 65 (DEHP, nonylphenol, o-phenylphenol, diethanolamine) of any products tested in this study. Moderate evidence. Helm 2018
About ingredients flagged like this one:
- The EU bans more than 1,400 substances from cosmetics, while US rules restrict only a handful. Moderate evidence. Alblooshi 2025
Each finding shows its evidence grade. See every graded fact or how we grade.
What this page can’t tell you
These lists describe what a substance can do, its hazard. The risk from one product depends on how much is in it and how you use it, and the label doesn’t say how much.
Not being on a list doesn’t make an ingredient safe. It may never have been assessed.
Check your products
Check a whole labelProducts that list itEWG Skin DeepShop fragrance-free
“Products that list it” opens Open Beauty Facts, a free database anyone can edit.
Flagged the same way
Official lists checked September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.