The ingredient narratives reshaping clean beauty.
Tromethamine
aka tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane · THAM · trometamol · tris base
A pH neutralising agent used in gel and serum formulations. Preferred over triethanolamine (TEA) in clean beauty for its lower nitrosamine formation risk and cleaner safety profile.
- pH neutralisation — activates carbomer and other polymer gels
- Lower nitrosamine formation risk than triethanolamine
- Clean alternative to TEA in gel formulations
- Stabilises acidic and neutral pH formulations
- Water-soluble, highly effective at low concentrations
- PDRN serums
- Peptide gel serums
- K-beauty lightweight gel moisturisers
- Carbomer-based gel formulations
- Eye serum formulas
Used at very low concentrations for pH neutralisation. Highly effective — use sparingly to avoid over-alkalinisation. Compatible with carbomer, acrylate polymers.
Synthetic amino alcohol — flagged in some ultra-natural formulations. Safety profile significantly better than triethanolamine for nitrosamine formation.
Accepted in clean beauty as a safer alternative to TEA. EWG rating 1.
The ingredient narratives reshaping clean beauty.
Tromethamine
aka tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane · THAM · trometamol · tris base
A pH neutralising agent used in gel and serum formulations. Preferred over triethanolamine (TEA) in clean beauty for its lower nitrosamine formation risk and cleaner safety profile.
- pH neutralisation — activates carbomer and other polymer gels
- Lower nitrosamine formation risk than triethanolamine
- Clean alternative to TEA in gel formulations
- Stabilises acidic and neutral pH formulations
- Water-soluble, highly effective at low concentrations
- PDRN serums
- Peptide gel serums
- K-beauty lightweight gel moisturisers
- Carbomer-based gel formulations
- Eye serum formulas
Used at very low concentrations for pH neutralisation. Highly effective — use sparingly to avoid over-alkalinisation. Compatible with carbomer, acrylate polymers.
Synthetic amino alcohol — flagged in some ultra-natural formulations. Safety profile significantly better than triethanolamine for nitrosamine formation.
Accepted in clean beauty as a safer alternative to TEA. EWG rating 1.