Diethanolamine (DEA) is an amino alcohol commonly used in the preparation of soaps and surfactants, agricultural chemicals and in textile processing. DEA and DEA-Derivatives are used in other products besides cosmetics and personal care products. For example, DEA and DEA-derivatives have been approved for several food-related applications, primarily food packaging.

Triethanolamine myristate is a fatty acid salt. It is used in cosmetics as emulsifier and surfactant. It may promote acne. Triethanolamine myristate was tested as gastrointestinal transit delaying agent. The investigations showed that in 4 out of 5 subjects, the gastric residence time of the pH-telemetering capsule could be prolonged and the renal elimination of riboflavin increased. The increase in renal elimination of riboflavin in the presence of triethanolamine myristate was statistically significant. In dogs, a bilayer tablet consisting of triethanolamine myristate and riboflavin resulted in an absolute bioavailability of 2-3 times greater than the bioavailability of riboflavin alone.

Monoethanolamine is both a primary amine and a primary alcohol. It is an olamine derivative. Monoethanolamine occurs in every cell in the human body as the head group of Phosphatidylethanolamine. Monoethanolamine is a component of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins, which are essential for viability. Other sources of monoethanolamine or phosphoethanolamine in the human body are the degradation of sphingosine phosphate by sphingosine phosphate lyase and the degradation of the endocannabinoid anandamide by the fatty acid amine hydrolase. Monoethanolamine stimulates the rapid growth of mammalian cells in culture. Monoethanolamine has a cardioprotective role against ischemia/reperfusion injury via activation of the transcription factor STAT-3. Monoethanolamine is a chemical intermediate in the manufacture of cosmetics, surface-active agents, emulsifiers, pharmaceuticals, and plasticizing agents.