Monoethanolamine

MON-oh-ETH-an-ol-AM-een

pH Adjuster 5/10 Safety Not CGControversial Synthetic Vegan

What Is Monoethanolamine?

An organic amine used as a pH adjuster and alkalizing agent in hair products, especially permanent hair color. It replaces ammonia in many no-ammonia hair dye formulations.

Source: Synthetic organic compound

Origin: Synthetic

Also known as: MEA, Ethanolamine, 2-Aminoethanol

What Does Monoethanolamine Do to Your Hair?

Raises the pH of hair dye formulations to open the hair cuticle and allow color penetration, similar to ammonia but with less odor. Also used as a general pH adjuster in shampoos and conditioners.

Best For

Color-treated hair (used during coloring process)

Not Recommended For

Sensitive scalp, damaged hair (opens cuticle during coloring)

Concentration Matters

0.5-1.5% in hair color; 0.1-0.5% as pH adjuster

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
Color-treated: Safe Color-treated: Use caution Heat-damaged: Not recommended

Method Compatibility

Curly Girl (CG) Method: Avoid
CG Avoid

Safety & Regulation

5/10
AvoidCautionSafe

While marketed as a gentler alternative to ammonia in hair color, MEA actually penetrates deeper into the hair shaft and may cause more internal damage than ammonia. Less irritating to the scalp than ammonia but more damaging to hair structure.

FDA Status: Generally Recognized As Safe

FDA permits use in cosmetics including hair dyes. EU restricts to 1.5% in hair dye products.

EWG Score: 5/10

HairAide Verdict

The no-ammonia hair color claim is often based on replacing ammonia with MEA, which may actually be worse for hair integrity. It smells better but the trade-off in hair damage is not always worth it.

Products That Contain Monoethanolamine

Ammonia-free hair dyes, pH-adjusting products, some conditioners

Alternatives to Monoethanolamine

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

Ammonia, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Monoethanolamine safe for hair?

Monoethanolamine has a safety rating of 5/10. It's generally acceptable but may cause issues for some hair types. While marketed as a gentler alternative to ammonia in hair color, MEA actually penetrates deeper into the hair shaft and may cause more internal damage than ammonia. Less irritating to the scalp than ammonia but more damaging to hair structure.

Is Monoethanolamine bad for curly hair?

Monoethanolamine is not CG-method approved. Curly hair types may want to avoid this ingredient or use products containing it sparingly.

Is Monoethanolamine CG-method approved?

No, Monoethanolamine is not approved for the Curly Girl method.

What can I use instead of Monoethanolamine?

Some alternatives to Monoethanolamine include: Ammonia, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid

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