Ingredient guide ›

Triethyl Citrate

The citrus-based helper.

What it does

Made from citric acid. It helps mask odors in deodorants and keeps nail polish films flexible.

Good to know

A small trial tested it in an acne lotion. The only cosmetic safety review found is from the US industry panel (CIR).

Often found in: Deodorants, Roll-on deodorants, Nail polishes, Foundations

Around the world

• United States: No FDA limit. The FDA doesn't approve cosmetic ingredients before sale. Source
• EU and UK: No special limit in the EU or UK. Source
• Canada: Not on Health Canada's Hotlist of restricted ingredients. Source
• Australia: No limit in Australia's Poisons Standard. Source

Sources

• CIR: Safety Assessment of Citric Acid, Inorganic Citrate Salts, and Alkyl Citrate Esters as Used in Cosmetics (2014) (Industry-funded)
• Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of a lotion containing triethyl citrate and ethyl linoleate in the treatment of acne vulgaris (Br J Dermatol, 2007) (Medical)