Triethyl Citrate (TEC) Liquid
Triethyl Citrate (TEC) Liquid
Triethyl Citrate (TEC) Liquid
Triethyl Citrate (TEC) Liquid
Triethyl Citrate (TEC) Liquid
Triethyl Citrate (TEC) Liquid
Triethyl Citrate (TEC) Liquid
Triethyl Citrate (TEC) Liquid
Triethyl Citrate (TEC) Liquid
Triethyl Citrate (TEC) Liquid

Triethyl Citrate (TEC) Liquid

Size 100g
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Triethyl Citrate, commonly known as TEC, is a clear, practically odourless liquid citrate ester used in perfumes, body mists, deodorants and cosmetic formulations.

In perfumery, Triethyl Citrate functions as a low-odour solvent, diluent and fragrance fixative. It helps fragrance ingredients blend uniformly and supports a smoother, more controlled release of the perfume.

In deodorant formulations, TEC helps reduce unpleasant body odour by limiting the enzymatic breakdown of sweat components. It is a deodorant ingredient, not an antiperspirant, which means it helps control odour without preventing the body’s natural sweating process.

Triethyl Citrate is selected mainly for its functional properties and does not contribute a strong fragrance of its own. It is suitable for professional perfume makers, cosmetic manufacturers, independent formulators and DIY creators.

Key Benefits:

  • Functions as a perfume solvent, diluent and fixative
  • Helps fragrance ingredients blend more uniformly
  • Supports smoother fragrance release and scent performance
  • Clear and practically odourless liquid
  • Does not interfere significantly with the original fragrance profile
  • Useful as an odour-control ingredient in deodorants
  • Compatible with ethanol and many fragrance ingredients
  • Suitable for perfumes, body mists, deodorants and personal-care formulations
  • Can also function as a plasticizer in selected hair and nail formulations

Applications:

Triethyl Citrate can be used in:

  • Eau de Parfum, Eau de Toilette and cologne formulations
  • Alcohol-based perfumes
  • Body mists and hair perfumes
  • Fragrance concentrates
  • Deodorant roll-ons
  • Deodorant sprays and creams
  • Personal-care and cosmetic formulations
  • Hair sprays and film-forming hair products
  • Nail-care formulations
  • Selected sunscreen and colour-cosmetic formulations

Recommended Usage Level:

Perfumes, body mists and fragrance products - Suggested starting level: 0.5%–5%

Start at approximately 1%–2% and increase only after evaluating fragrance clarity, diffusion, evaporation and longevity. TEC should not be treated as a guaranteed method of making every fragrance long-lasting because final performance also depends on the fragrance composition, concentration, alcohol quality, packaging and maturation period.

Deodorant formulations - Recommended level: 1%–5%

For effective deodorant performance, maintain the final formulation at approximately pH 4.0–5.0.

Triethyl Citrate is not recommended for strongly alkaline formulations, including traditional alkaline soaps and alkaline deodorant sticks.

Other cosmetic formulations - Use according to formulation requirements and conduct compatibility, stability and performance testing before manufacturing commercial batches.

These percentages are formulation starting points, not universal regulatory limits.

How to Use Triethyl Citrate in Perfume

  1. Measure the required quantity of Triethyl Citrate.
  2. Add it to the fragrance oil or fragrance concentrate.
  3. Mix thoroughly until the blend is clear and uniform.
  4. Add the premixed fragrance blend to perfume-grade alcohol or the selected perfume base.
  5. Mix thoroughly and allow the perfume to mature.
  6. Evaluate clarity, scent profile, spray quality, diffusion and longevity.
  7. Adjust the TEC percentage only after carrying out a controlled trial.

TEC should be introduced gradually because excessive use may change fragrance diffusion, opening intensity or overall sensory performance.

How to Use TEC in Water-Based Products

Triethyl Citrate is only slightly soluble in water. Therefore, water-based body mists, deodorants and sprays may require a suitable solubilizer, emulsifier or co-solvent system.

Do not add TEC directly to water and assume that the final formulation will remain clear and stable. Always conduct small-batch compatibility and stability testing.

INCI Name: Triethyl Citrate

Odor Profile - Practically odourless to very mild

Solubility: Very soluble or miscible in ethanol; only slightly soluble in water

Important Formulation Notes

  • Triethyl Citrate is not a fragrance oil.
  • It has little to no odour and is used mainly for functionality.
  • It does not replace perfume-grade alcohol or a complete perfume base.
  • It is not fully water-soluble.
  • It is not a cosmetic preservative.
  • It is not an antiperspirant and does not stop sweating.
  • It is not always a direct 1:1 replacement for DPG or DEP.
  • Compatibility must be tested in oil-based and water-based systems.
  • Finished-product performance depends on the complete formulation.

This product is a cosmetic raw material and is intended for external use only in cosmetic and personal care formulations. It is not intended for internal consumption or medicinal use.

  • Do not ingest.
  • Keep out of reach of children.
  • Avoid direct contact with eyes.

All product images are for illustrative purposes only. Actual product color, texture, or packaging may vary from batch to batch.

Information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and should not be considered or interpreted as medical advice.

While we do not offer products for internal use, we source only high-quality, pharmaceutical or food-grade ingredients. Ingredient purity and performance are critical in cosmetic applications, just as they are in ingestible products.

Please note:
Just because two products have the same name or CAS number does not guarantee the same grade, purity, or effectiveness. Always choose trusted suppliers. Choose Purenso for premium-grade ingredients you can rely on.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

No. Triethyl citrate is an ester, not a direct replacement for citric acid. Do not use it to reach a target pH by substituting the same weight. Choose a suitable pH-adjusting system separately and measure the finished water-containing formula.

Treat it as a solvent change. It can alter fragrance release, solvency and the feel of the finished product. Compare matched trials and verify stability and packaging; a successful clear blend with DPG is not proof that an equal-weight TEC replacement will behave identically.

Compare samples with the same final fragrance concentration and total batch weight, changing the carrier composition in a controlled way. Assess opening, dry-down and appearance separately. Otherwise, a quieter perfume may simply reflect extra dilution rather than a useful performance improvement.

Record TEC as its own ingredient. A diluted fragrance premix contains both fragrance and carrier, so distinguish the weight of the premix from the actual fragrance contribution. Keep all components in the final formula total and assess use limits on the appropriate finished-product basis.

No. A formulation ingredient is not a substitute for a sound closure. Compare fill weight and inspect the cap, pump and seals against a properly sealed reference. Fix a packaging leak before changing the solvent blend to address apparent fragrance loss.

The final solvent balance can differ substantially from the clear premix, particularly when water is introduced. Compare measured trial dilutions and monitor them after standing. Do not assume that a clear concentrate guarantees a clear finished perfume or that filtering corrects incompatibility.

Do not infer in-pack preservation from an ingredient's deodorising role. The finished water-containing deodorant still needs an appropriate preservation strategy and validation. Assess the complete formula rather than treating odour control during use as proof of microbial protection in the bottle.

This needs a formulation-specific assessment, not a simple addition rule. The alkaline mineral system and TEC have different chemical requirements. Review compatibility and any water phase, then compare stability and performance before deciding whether the combination belongs in that stick.

Do not assume it will. A solvent or emollient can wet a powder without turning it into a true solution. Treat the mineral as a dispersion unless actual solubility has been established, and develop suspension, feel and packaging around the complete formulation.

Only a suitable test of the complete product can support that expectation. Oils, waxes, powders and application amount also influence residue. Compare the finished deodorant on representative light and dark fabrics rather than assigning a non-staining claim to the solvent alone.

Do not assume that a solvent or fixative role provides light protection. Investigate perfume colour and odour changes with appropriate packaging and formulation trials. A UV-stability claim needs evidence for the actual system rather than being inferred from the presence of TEC.

No. Assess the complete formula, including the perfume base and fragrance carriers, against the claim you intend to make. The presence of TEC does not establish that ethanol or other relevant alcohols are absent from the rest of the product.