Tea-cocoate (inci)

"TEA" is the acronym for triethanolamine, a quaternary ammonium compound. Triethanolamine reacts easily with fatty acids to form triethanolamine soaps and is used as a basic component in soaps and other cosmetic products. "Cocoate" refers to a salt/ester of coconut fatty acids.

TEA-cocoate is a substance which is used in cosmetic formulations where it acts as an emulsifier (a surfactant used in cosmetic products as an auxiliary substance to combine 2 immiscible liquids - e.g. oil and water - to form an emulsion) and surfactant (a washing-active substance; improves the even distribution of the products during application).