Aminomethyl Propanol

uh-MEE-noh-METH-ul proh-PAN-ol

pH Adjuster 7/10 Safety CG ApprovedClean Synthetic Vegan

What Is Aminomethyl Propanol?

Aminomethyl Propanol is an alkanolamine used primarily as a pH adjuster and neutralizer in hair care formulations. It is an organic base that raises the pH of acidic formulations to the desired level. It is commonly used to neutralize carbomer-based gels and to adjust the pH of hair color formulations and styling products.

Source: Chemically synthesized

Origin: Synthetic

Also known as: AMP, 2-Amino-2-Methyl-1-Propanol, AMP-95

What Does Aminomethyl Propanol Do to Your Hair?

Aminomethyl Propanol neutralizes acidic ingredients (particularly carbomers) to create properly thickened gel formulations. It adjusts the pH of products to the desired range for optimal performance and hair compatibility. In hair color products, it helps create the alkaline environment needed for color penetration while being gentler than ammonia.

Best For

All hair types (functional ingredient, not hair-type specific)

Not Recommended For

Not directly problematic; performs a background function

Concentration Matters

0.1-5%

Hair Type Compatibility

1A Straight Fine
1B Straight Medium
1C Straight Coarse
2A Wavy Fine
2B Wavy Medium
2C Wavy Coarse
3A Curly Loose
3B Curly Tight
3C Curly Corkscrew
4A Coily S-Shaped
4B Coily Z-Shaped
4C Coily Tight

Method Compatibility

Curly Girl (CG) Method: Approved
CG Approved

Safety & Regulation

7/10
AvoidCautionSafe

Safe at cosmetic concentrations. Can be mildly irritating at high concentrations in undiluted form. CIR panel considers safe at typical use concentrations up to 5%. Less irritating and less odorous than ammonia or ethanolamine in hair color products.

FDA Status: Generally Recognized As Safe

FDA permits use in cosmetics. CIR panel considers safe at concentrations up to 5% in cosmetic formulations.

EWG Score: 2/10

HairAide Verdict

Aminomethyl Propanol is a behind-the-scenes functional ingredient that you will rarely need to think about. It simply ensures that products have the right pH and texture. HairAide considers it safe and unremarkable — not something to seek out or avoid, just a necessary part of well-formulated products.

Products That Contain Aminomethyl Propanol

Styling gels, hair color products, mousses, fixing sprays, leave-in treatments

Alternatives to Aminomethyl Propanol

If you want to avoid Aminomethyl Propanol, look for products with these ingredients instead:

Triethanolamine (TEA), Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Hydroxide

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Aminomethyl Propanol safe for hair?

Yes, Aminomethyl Propanol has a safety rating of 7/10 and is generally considered safe for use in hair products. Safe at cosmetic concentrations. Can be mildly irritating at high concentrations in undiluted form. CIR panel considers safe at typical use concentrations up to 5%. Less irritating and less odorous than ammonia or ethanolamine in hair color products.

Is Aminomethyl Propanol bad for curly hair?

Aminomethyl Propanol is CG-method approved and is generally considered safe for curly hair.

Is Aminomethyl Propanol CG-method approved?

Yes, Aminomethyl Propanol is approved for the Curly Girl method.

What can I use instead of Aminomethyl Propanol?

Some alternatives to Aminomethyl Propanol include: Triethanolamine (TEA), Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Hydroxide

Get Our Free Ingredient Decoder Cheat Sheet

Take the guesswork out of reading product labels. Our printable cheat sheet helps you decode ingredients while you shop.

Check What's In Your Products

Use our free Hair Product Label Analyzer to check any product's ingredient list instantly.

Analyze My Product →