Emulsifying
Triethanolamine is an effective synthetic emulsifier.
Description
Cosmetic creams and lotions are often composed of water and oil based ingredients, which are held together by materials called emulsifiers. Without emulsifiers, oil droplets would float on top of the water. An emulsifier binds the ingredients together to create an expertly balanced product that is smooth, blended, and easy to apply.
It is classed as organic because there is carbon within the structure, and as a compound because there are several elements bound together.