Monoethanolamine
AKA “Ethanolamine, 2-aminoethanol, 141-43-5, Olamine, 2-Aminoethan-1-ol, 2-Hydroxyethylamine, colamine, Aminoethanol, Ethanol, 2-amino-”
Ingredient
Ingredient Facts
Monoethanolamine
AKA: 2-aminoethanol, 141-43-5, 2-Aminoethan-1-ol, 2-Hydroxyethylamine, Colamine, Aminoethanol, 2-amino-
Ingredient · Skin Conditioning · EWG: 4
Synthetic
Skin Conditioner
Not Clean
Monoethanolamine is a first generation monoethanolamine with antihistaminic property. Ethanolamine competes with free histamine for binding at the histamine (H)-1 receptor thereby acting as an inverse agonist that combines with and stabilizes the inactive form of the H1-receptor thereby shifting the equilibrium toward the inactive state. This leads to a reduction of the negative symptoms brought on by H1-receptor binding.
Solubility greater than or equal to 100 mg/mL at 68 °F (NTP, 1992)
Formula
C2H7NO
Mol. Weight
61.08
CAS #
141-43-5
Form
Liquid
State
Ethanolamine appears as a clear colorless liquid with an odor resembling that of ammonia. Flash point 185 °F. May attack copper, brass, and rubber. Corrosive to tissue. Moderately toxic. Produces toxi
See origin →
Functions
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Buffering
Anti-Inflammatory
Boosts Collagen
Wound Healing
Maintains optimal pH
Traditional Use
First synthesized in the early 20th century and adopted by the cosmetics industry as a pH adjuster and emulsifier. Used to neutralize acidic ingredients and create stable emulsions in skincare and haircare products.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Caution
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Agencies
2-Amino-4-nitrophenol.
IARC monographs on the evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans, 1993
2-Amino-5-nitrophenol.
IARC monographs on the evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans, 1993
Occupational allergic contact dermatitis caused by coconut fatty acids diethanolamide.
Aalto-Korte K, Pesonen M, Kuuliala O, Suuronen K
Contact dermatitis, 2014
Occupational allergic contact dermatitis caused by coconut fatty acids diethanolamide.
Aalto-Korte K, Pesonen M, Kuuliala O, Suuronen K
Contact dermatitis, 2014
Occupational allergic contact dermatitis caused by coconut fatty acids diethanolamide.
Aalto-Korte K, Pesonen M, Kuuliala O, Suuronen K
Contact dermatitis, 2014
Final report on the safety assessment of 3-methylamino-4-nitrophenoxyethanol as used in hair dyes.
Becker LC, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International journal of toxicology, 2008
Allergic contact dermatitis from trideceth-2-carboxamide monoethanolamine (MEA) in a hair dye.
Bowling JC, Scarisbrick J, Warin AP, Downs AM
Contact dermatitis, 2002
Allergic contact dermatitis from trideceth-2-carboxamide monoethanolamine (MEA) in a hair dye.
Bowling JC, Scarisbrick J, Warin AP, Downs AM
Contact dermatitis, 2002
Explaining skin permeation of 2-butoxyethanol from neat and aqueous solutions.
Bunge AL, Persichetti JM, Payan JP
International journal of pharmaceutics, 2012
Final amended report on the safety assessment of Ammonium Thioglycolate, Butyl Thioglycolate, Calcium Thioglycolate, Ethanolamine Thioglycolate, Ethyl
Burnett CL, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Klaassen CD, Marks JG Jr et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2009
Final amended report on the safety assessment of Ammonium Thioglycolate, Butyl Thioglycolate, Calcium Thioglycolate, Ethanolamine Thioglycolate, Ethyl
Burnett CL, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Klaassen CD, Marks JG Jr et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2009
Final amended report on the safety assessment of Ammonium Thioglycolate, Butyl Thioglycolate, Calcium Thioglycolate, Ethanolamine Thioglycolate, Ethyl
Burnett CL, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Klaassen CD, Marks JG Jr et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2009
Final amended report on the safety assessment of Ammonium Thioglycolate, Butyl Thioglycolate, Calcium Thioglycolate, Ethanolamine Thioglycolate, Ethyl
Burnett CL, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Klaassen CD, Marks JG Jr et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2009
Final amended report on the safety assessment of Ammonium Thioglycolate, Butyl Thioglycolate, Calcium Thioglycolate, Ethanolamine Thioglycolate, Ethyl
Burnett CL, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Klaassen CD, Marks JG Jr et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2009
Final amended report on the safety assessment of Ammonium Thioglycolate, Butyl Thioglycolate, Calcium Thioglycolate, Ethanolamine Thioglycolate, Ethyl
Burnett CL, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Klaassen CD, Marks JG Jr et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2009
Final amended report on the safety assessment of Ammonium Thioglycolate, Butyl Thioglycolate, Calcium Thioglycolate, Ethanolamine Thioglycolate, Ethyl
Burnett CL, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Klaassen CD, Marks JG Jr et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2009
Final amended report on the safety assessment of Ammonium Thioglycolate, Butyl Thioglycolate, Calcium Thioglycolate, Ethanolamine Thioglycolate, Ethyl
Burnett CL, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Klaassen CD, Marks JG Jr et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2009
Safety Assessment of 2-Amino-3-Hydroxypyridine as Used in Cosmetics.
Burnett CL, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Hill RA, Klaassen CD et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2020
Effects of ethanol and diclofenac on the organization of hydrogenated phosphatidylcholine bilayer vesicles and their ability as skin carriers.
Castangia I, Manca ML, Matricardi P, Catalán-Latorre A, Nácher A et al.
Journal of materials science. Materials in medicine, 2015
Screening of yeasts for the production of 2-phenylethanol (rose aroma) in organic waste-based media.
Chreptowicz K, Sternicka MK, Kowalska PD, Mierzejewska J
Letters in applied microbiology, 2018
Extended Re-review Summary: Safety Assessment of Diisopropanolamine, Triisopropanolamine, Isopropanolamine, and Mixed Isopropanolamines
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Amended Report on the Safety Assessment of 2,4-Diaminophenoxyethanol HCl and 2,4-Diaminophenoxyethanol Sulfate
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Amended Report on the Safety Assessment of Ammonium Thioglycolate, Butyl Thioglycolate, Calcium Thioglycolate, Ethanolamine Thioglycolate, Ethyl Thioglycolate, Glyceryl Thioglycolate, Isooctyl T
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of 2-Amino-6-Chloro-4-Nitrophenol and 2-Amino-6-Chloro-4-Nitrophenol Hydrochloride
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of 2,4-Diaminophenoxyethanol Dihydrochloride
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of 3-Methylamino-4-Nitrophenoxyethanol as Used in Hair Dyes
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Butoxyethanol
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Diisopropanolamine, Triisopropanolamine, Isopropanolamine, and Mixed Isopropanolamine
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Ethoxyethanol and Ethoxyethanol Acetate
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Phenoxyethanol
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Potassium-Coco-Hydrolyzed Animal Protein and Triethanolamine-Coco-Hydrolyzed Animal Protein
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Triethanolamine, Diethanolamine, and Monoethanolamine
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report: Amended Safety Assessment of 2,4-Diaminophenoxyethanol HCl and 2,4-Diaminophenoxyethanol Sulfate as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Safety Assessment of 2-Amino-3-Hydroxypyridine as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Safety Assessment of 2-Amino-4-Hydroxyethylaminoanisole and 2-Amino-4-Hydroxyethylaminoanisole Sulfate as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Safety Assessment of Diethanolamides as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Safety Assessment of Diethanolamine and Its Salts as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Safety Assessment of Ethanolamides as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Safety Assessment of Ethanolamine and Ethanolamine Salts as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Safety Assessment of Triethanolamine and Triethanolamine-Containing Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Tentative Report: Amended Safety Assessment of Butoxyethanol as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
2-Amino-3-Hydroxypyridine
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
2-Amino-4-Hydroxyethylaminoanisole
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
2-Amino-4-Hydroxyethylaminoanisole Sulfate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
2-Amino-6-Chloro-4-Nitrophenol
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
2,4-Diaminophenoxyethanol HCl
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
2,4-Diaminophenoxyethanol Sulfate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
3-Methylamino-4-Nitrophenoxyethanol
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Butoxyethanol
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Ethanolamine
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Ethanolamine HCl
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Ethanolamine Thioglycolate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Isopropanolamine
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Lysophosphatidylethanolamine
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Phenoxyethanol
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Triethanolamine
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Triisopropanolamine
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Phenoxyethanol Safety Assessment
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology, 2019
Safety review of phenoxyethanol when used as a preservative in cosmetics.
Dréno B, Zuberbier T, Gelmetti C, Gontijo G, Marinovich M
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV, 2019
Safety review of phenoxyethanol when used as a preservati...
B Dréno, T Zuberbier, C Gelmetti, G Gontijo, M Marinovich
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV, 2019
Chemical characterization and antimicrobial activities of Citrus aurantifolia peel oils and Ocimum sanctum ethanolic extract.
Duangsombat P, Waranuch N, Pitaksuteepong T
PloS one, 2025
Chemical characterization and antimicrobial activities of Citrus aurantifolia peel oils and Ocimum sanctum ethanolic extract.
Duangsombat P, Waranuch N, Pitaksuteepong T
PloS one, 2025
2-Amino-3-Hydroxypyridine
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
2-Amino-4-Hydroxyethylaminoanisole
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
2-Amino-4-Hydroxyethylaminoanisole Sulfate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
2-Amino-5-Nitrophenol
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
2-Amino-6-Chloro-4-Nitrophenol
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
2,4-Diaminophenoxyethanol HCl
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
2,4-Diaminophenoxyethanol Sulfate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Butoxyethanol
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Diethanolamine
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Diisopropanolamine
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
ethanol
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Ethanolamine
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Ethoxyethanol
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Isopropanolamine
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Mixed Isopropanolamine
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Mixed Isopropanolamines
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Phenoxyethanol
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Triethanolamine
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Triisopropanolamine
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Safety Assessment of Diethanolamine and Its Salts as Used...
Monice M Fiume, Bart Heldreth, Wilma F Bergfeld, Donald V Belsito, Ronald A Hill, Curtis D Klaassen + 6 more
International journal of toxicology, 2017
Safety Assessment of Diethanolamine and Its Salts as Used...
Monice M Fiume, Bart Heldreth, Wilma F Bergfeld, Donald V Belsito, Ronald A Hill, Curtis D Klaassen + 6 more
International journal of toxicology, 2017
Safety Assessment of Diethanolamine and Its Salts as Used...
Monice M Fiume, Bart Heldreth, Wilma F Bergfeld, Donald V Belsito, Ronald A Hill, Curtis D Klaassen + 6 more
International journal of toxicology, 2017
Safety assessment of triethanolamine and triethanolamine-containing ingredients as used in cosmetics.
Fiume MM, Heldreth B, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Hill RA et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2013
Detection of fatty acid ethyl esters in skin surface lipids as biomarkers of ethanol consumption in alcoholics, social drinkers, light drinkers, and t
González-Illán F, Ojeda-Torres G, Díaz-Vázquez LM, Rosario O
Journal of analytical toxicology, 2011
2-Amino-1,2-bis(4-methoxyphenol) ethanol and its salts
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
2-Amino-4-nitrophenol
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
2-Amino-5-nitrophenol
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
2,4-Diaminophenylethanol and its salts
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Butoxyethanol
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Ethoxyethanol
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Ethoxyethanol acetate
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Methoxyethanol
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Methoxyethanol acetate
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Secondary alkyl- and alkanolamines and their salts
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Tribromoethanol
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Zoxazolamine
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
β-elemene Isopropanolamine Derivative LXX-8250 Induces Apoptosis Through Impairing Autophagic Flux via PFKFB4 Repression in Melanoma Cells.
Jalal S, Zhang T, Deng J, Wang J, Xu T et al.
Frontiers in pharmacology, 2022
Final report on the safety assessment of ethoxyethanol and ethoxyethanol acetate.
Johnson W Jr, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert panel
International journal of toxicology, 2002
Final report on the safety assessment of ethoxyethanol and ethoxyethanol acetate.
Johnson W Jr, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert panel
International journal of toxicology, 2002
In vivo and in vitro inhibitory activity of an ethanolic extract of Sargassum fulvellum and its component grasshopper ketone on atopic dermatitis.
Kang BK, Kim MJ, Kim KB, Ahn DH
International immunopharmacology, 2016
Direct synthesis of dimethyl carbonate from methanol and carbon dioxide over CeO2(X)-ZnO(1-X) nano-catalysts.
Kang KH, Joe W, Lee CH, Kim M, Kim DB et al.
Journal of nanoscience and nanotechnology, 2013
Formation and inhibition of N-nitrosodiethanolamine in cosmetics under pH, temperature, and fluorescent, ultraviolet, and visual light.
Lim DS, Lim SK, Kim MK, Kwon YC, Roh TH et al.
Journal of toxicology and environmental health. Part A, 2018
2-Amino-4-hydroxyethylaminoanisole sulfate - a coupler causing contact allergy from use in hair dyes.
Madsen JT, Andersen KE
Contact dermatitis, 2016
2-Amino-4-hydroxyethylaminoanisole sulfate - a coupler causing contact allergy from use in hair dyes.
Madsen JT, Andersen KE
Contact dermatitis, 2016
Can 1% chlorhexidine diacetate and ethanol stabilize resin-dentin bonds?
Manso AP, Grande RH, Bedran-Russo AK, Reis A, Loguercio AD et al.
Dental materials : official publication of the Academy of Dental Materials, 2014
Allergic contact dermatitis caused by cocamide diethanolamine.
Mertens S, Gilissen L, Goossens A
Contact dermatitis, 2016
Preliminary evaluation of interactions between selected alcoholamines and model skin sebum components.
Musial W, Kubis A
Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin, 2006
Anti-senescence and anti-apoptotic effects of immature Citrus unshiu peel ethanol extract on ultraviolet B-irradiated skin keratinocytes.
Piao MJ, Kang KA, Fernando PDSM, Herath HMUL, Senavirathna HMMM et al.
Toxicological research, 2025
Pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of diisopropanolamine (DIPA) in rats following intravenous or dermal application.
Saghir SA, Frantz SW, Spence MW, Nolan RJ, Lowe ER et al.
Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association, 2007
Investigation of piroctone olamine delivery to the skin from single, binary and ternary solvent systems.
Tang CF, Pudney PDA, Lane ME
International journal of cosmetic science, 2024
Antioxidant screening and phenolic content of ethanol extracts of selected Baja California Peninsula macroalgae.
Tenorio-Rodriguez PA, Murillo-Álvarez JI, Campa-Cordova ÁI, Angulo C
Journal of food science and technology, 2017
Skin-permeable gold nanoparticles with modifications azelamide monoethanolamine ameliorate inflammatory skin diseases.
Zhao H, Zhao H, Tang Y, Li M, Cai Y et al.
Biomarker research, 2024
Skin-permeable gold nanoparticles with modifications azelamide monoethanolamine ameliorate inflammatory skin diseases.
Zhao H, Zhao H, Tang Y, Li M, Cai Y et al.
Biomarker research, 2024
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR