What Is Triethylhexyl Citrate?

Learn about the plasticizer, skin conditioning, and skin conditioning emollient characteristics of Triethylhexyl Citrate and its usage in personal care products.

What Is Triethylhexyl Citrate? Brandon Jones / IngredientReviewer

Last Updated: October 2, 2024

Written by Brandon Jones

What Is Triethylhexyl Citrate?

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What is the purpose of Triethylhexyl Citrate in personal care products? It is used for its plasticizer, skin conditioning, and skin conditioning emollient characteristics. Triethylhexyl Citrate makes materials softer and flexible, moisturizes and strengthens skin, and hydrates skin to prevent dryness.

Names and identifiers that we found for this substance include: Triethylhexyl Citrate and Tris(2-ethylhexyl) 2-hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylate.

What Are Plasticizer Ingredients?

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Triethylhexyl Citrate has plasticizer characteristics.

Polymers are materials made up of many smaller units called monomers, and they can be found in many products we use every day, including cosmetics. However, some polymers can be stiff and difficult to work with, and that's where plasticizers come in. Plasticizers are ingredients used in cosmetic products to soften and make synthetic polymers more flexible.

Plasticizers make the polymers more supple, making it easier to spread, deform, or work with the product. Without plasticizers, some synthetic polymers would be too rigid to be used in cosmetic products, as they would not be able to spread evenly over the skin or be easily applied to the desired area. Therefore, plasticizers are an essential ingredient in many cosmetic products, helping to make them more user-friendly and effective.

Plasticizers are commonly used in products beyond cosmetics, including plastics, coatings, adhesives, etc. In these applications, plasticizers serve a similar purpose of improving the flexibility and workability of synthetic polymers.

What Are Skin Conditioning Ingredients?

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Triethylhexyl Citrate has skin conditioning characteristics.

Skin conditioning ingredients improve the texture, feel, and overall appearance of the skin, helping to avoid harmful effects from external factors. Skin conditioning ingredients moisturize the skin and strengthen its natural barrier function to help protect it from damage caused by harsh weather and sunlight. Some skin conditioning ingredients are anti-inflammatory and can help reduce redness and irritated skin.

What Are Skin Conditioning Emollient Ingredients?

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Triethylhexyl Citrate has skin conditioning emollient characteristics.

Skin conditioning emollients help improve the skin's texture and appearance while providing it with the necessary hydration to prevent dryness and flakiness. Emollients are lubricants that create a barrier on the skin's surface to trap moisture, which helps prevent dryness and dehydration.

Skin conditioning emollients are commonly found in cosmetics such as moisturizers and lotions, which significantly help maintain healthy and youthful-looking skin. Emollients are typically made from natural oils, such as coconut or jojoba, and can also contain humectants that draw moisture to the skin's surface.

Safety

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Remember, always read and follow the instructions provided on product labels carefully. If you have any questions or concerns about using a product containing various ingredients, consult with your doctor or healthcare provider before use.