Diethanolamine (a pH balancer) and its 16 salt derivatives are considered safe in cosmetics when they don't irritate skin. The key catch: these ingredients can't be used in formulas where N-nitroso compounds might form, since that combination raises safety concerns.

The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel evaluated existing animal and human safety data on diethanolamine and its salts, relying on previous research reports since not every individual salt had its own study.

Funding not disclosed in abstract