What a 3/5 rating means
On the comedogenic scale, a 3 is the moderate midpoint: tolerated by many, a possible trigger for congestion-prone skin. That puts TEA-Stearate squarely in the judgement-call zone, where your skin type and the product's formula decide the outcome.
This rating is disputed. Credible sources land on different numbers for TEA-Stearate, so we publish the range (3) rather than a false single figure. When sources disagree this openly, your own experience carries real weight.
One thing the number cannot tell you is concentration. Ingredients are listed in descending order, so TEA-Stearate near the end of a label is present in tiny amounts and matters far less than the same ingredient near the top.
About TEA-Stearate
It is an emulsifier, the ingredient that keeps a product's oil and water phases from separating. A soap-based emulsifier formed from stearic acid and triethanolamine, named on comedogenic lists in the moderate range.
On a label it can read as Tea Stearate, Tea-Stearate, Stearic Acid Tea, Triethanolamine Stearate — worth knowing when you scan an ingredient deck.
TEA-Stearate in makeup and skincare
It quietly stabilises most cream foundations, lotions, and moisturisers. Its irritancy is rated separately at 2/5, which is low.
If you deal with fungal acne (malassezia folliculitis) rather than ordinary clogged pores, note that TEA-Stearate is among the fatty-acid or ester-type ingredients that community sources commonly avoid — a separate concern from its comedogenic score, and one with weaker evidence behind it.
Lower-rated alternatives to TEA-Stearate
If you want a similar role with a friendlier comedogenic score, consider:
- Glyceryl Stearate — comedogenic rating 1/5 (Low risk).
- Cetearyl Alcohol — comedogenic rating 2/5 (Low risk).
TEA-Stearate comedogenic FAQ
Is TEA-Stearate comedogenic?
Moderately. TEA-Stearate is rated 3/5 (moderate), the middle of the 0–5 scale: many people tolerate it, but it can contribute to breakouts on congestion-prone skin. Sources disagree on TEA-Stearate, so the rating is less settled than most.
What is the comedogenic rating of TEA-Stearate?
TEA-Stearate has a comedogenic rating of 3/5 (moderate). Of the 190 ingredients in our dataset with a published rating, 39 rate higher than TEA-Stearate, 97 rate lower, and 53 others share its 3/5. Among the 22 rated emulsifiers, 3 rate higher and 9 lower. The figure is drawn from 1 cited source, listed on this page.
Is TEA-Stearate pore-clogging?
It can be for some people. At 3/5, TEA-Stearate is in the moderate band. How much it matters depends on concentration: near the top of an ingredient list it is a bigger factor than near the end. Comedogenic ratings come mostly from rabbit-ear assays and small human patch tests of the pure ingredient at high concentration, so they are a screening guide, not a prediction for your skin or a medical claim.