Question

What would be a reason to have triethanolamine and stearic acid in hand lotions? What would omitting triethanolamine do in one sample while keeping stearic acid and vice-versa?

Answer 1

Hand creams or lotions will contain emulsifying agent which form micelles with non polar sections dissolved in Oil droplets.

Emulsifying agent in this lotion is prepared by te reaction between Stearic Acid and triethanolamine which a Ionic compound (Salt). This salt will have a non-polar section and Charged section which act as good emulsifying agent.

If there is only triethanolamine and no stearic acid- lotion will not be smooth and creamy.

If there is only Stearic acid and no trethanolamin-lotion will be mode acidic as triethanolamine acts a buffering agent cintroling the pH of the lotion.