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Comparison of Aminomethyl Propanol (AMP) and Triethanolamine (TEA)
What are the pros and cons of using Aminomethyl Propanol (AMP Ultra PC 2000) versus Triethanolamine (TEA NF) in terms of neutralizing formulations (O/W lotions), performance, stability, health concerns, global compliance, cost and other factors?
I am formulating an O/W body lotion with a target pH of 5.4-5.6 and shelf life of 18 months. I am trying to determine whether it would better for me to use AMP or TEA in my formulation.
Any thoughts, comments and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
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15 Replies
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What ph you want to bring down?
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As far as I know, TEA is ok as long as you use a high purity grade (there is growing concern about DEA and nitrosamines formation).
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Does TEA have additional performance benefits or advantages over AMP?
In other words, besides pH adjusting properties, does TEA provide additional benefits to an oil-in-water emultion that AMP simply does not (or AMP does not do as well).
I anticipate using either AMP or TEA to make my lotion more alkaline. If one ingredient has additional performance characteristics over the other, I would like to know.
Thanks again for any input.
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I should add that my lotion will also include carbomer in the formulation.
How will my use of carbomer in the lotion impact whether AMP or TEA is the better option in this case? I should mention I would like the lotion formulation to be globally-compliant.
Thanks again.
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I am not aware of any particularly important advantage, unless you’re neutralizing a polymer in a formula containing large amounts of ethanol or you’re making hair styling products (check this document).Why not just use a NaOH solution to neutralize the carbomer?
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Here is a knowledge article from Lubrizol on neutralizing Carbomers and related products. It may answer your questions but also give you a clear overview of the concept as well. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1z_yRupdCA8cWpMplKpLzYqpW5DUFApKx/view?usp=sharing
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Thanks, the article is very informative.
Everyone, please feel free to share your thoughts on my following layman’s logic. In comparing the carbomer neutralizing chemicals (NaOH vs. AMP vs. TEA), assuming all other formulation benefits are equal among the three options (Please comment on this assumption as well.), it would seem best to use Aminomethyl Propanol as it would require the least amount of chemical to add to a formulation to perform its function of stabilizing and thickening carbomer in a lotion (oil-in-water) at a pH of 5.5.
Neutralization Ratio to Carbomer (Neutralization at pH 7.0)
NaOH 2.3/1.0
Aminomethyl Propanol (AMP) 0.9/1.0
Triethanolamine (TEA) 1.5/1.0
Data from Lubrizol Advanced Materials Inc. (2009). Neutralizing Carbopol (Registered Trademark) and Pemulen (Trademark) in Aqueous and Hydroalcoholic Systems [Technical Data Sheet, TDS-237].Thanks again for any comments.
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“Least amount” is not the important criterion. What you should do is test all three to find the sensorial you prefer.
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The NaOH is an 18% solution so the amounts are not really comparable.The main factor that will need to be considered is cost (& availability).If you are targeting a niche market then your marketing team might have a preference in terms of customer acceptance. -
@Spadirect Keep in mind that the miniscule difference in the percentages used is really not indicative of any safety factor or a benefit form “using less chemical.” As @Belassi so rightfully points out, your focus should be on the best properties in the final product, not a layperson’s interpretation of toxicology.With your logic, if we have a painkiller such as Ibuprofen where the dose is 800MG, it is 200-400 times more dangerous/toxic (pick your term) than Dilaudid which has a dosage of 2-4MG.Efficacy and cost cannot be ignored in designing a balanced product. Don’t let chemophobia be the directing factor.
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@Spadirect if we talk about residu i think that AMP is the best then TEA then NaOh if we talk about health side it is just personel feeling i think that NaOh will be the best.
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Personal feelings have no place in Science.There is not a valid fear of TEA being contaminated if you use a reputable supplier. They will provide a TDS/SDS to disprove any concerns.This is a huge oversimplification. In general, you will select a neutralizing agent that is appropriate to the Formula. So, let me pose this rhetorical question if you are making a 70% SD40B gel for a hand sanitizer, would NaOH be the best neutralizing agent.Again, sorry, but as a Scientist, I chafe at “my personal feelings” promoted as a basis for a material selection. It is not so one-dimensional.Have a great day everyone.
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@Microformulation actually i don’t agree with you cause doubt “from feeling” can lead to certainty ” science”
that feeling are based from many not sure information wich tell that Amines “TEA & AMP …” have harmfull effects “reaching to nitrosamines concerogen” i said already that information are not sure but can be approved in later days or years howver i never heared about harmeful effect of NaOh for sure when it is neutralised. -
@Vnnil IMO Sodium hydroxide scares people away, even if placed way down in the list of ingredients.
@Microformulation the Lubrizol paper mentions that Arginine can be used to neutralize carbopol
It would be interesting to try to see if skin feel gets any better.
I recall Ajinomoto studies that suggest that Arginine improves almost everything. -
Too many generalizations. “Arginine improves almost everything” is broad and hard to digest.Arginine can be used as a neutralizer. In fact, Inolex uses it in some of their hair care line. It is fairly uncommon since I have never seen any huge advantage despite it “improving everything” and the cost is generally higher by a scale of 10 at least than other neutralizers.
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