Re: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TEA LAURYL SULPHATE,MEA LAURYL SULPHATE

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TEA LAURYL SULPHATE,MEA LAURYL SULPHATE AND 
SODIUM LAURYL SULPHATE.

The main difference is between these compounds is how the sulfate anion 
(negative charge) is neutralized.  All three compounds are salts.  The 
salt has one end that is a fatty acid (lauric acid) which is attracted to 
oil and the other end (the sulfate) is attracted to water.  TEA stands for 
triethanol amine and MEA stands for monoethanol amine.  Both of these 
amine compounds look and smell like "oily ammonia".  I personally think 
they are kinda nasty.  TEA is commonly used in bar soap formulations and 
cosmetics.  It is used in bar soaps to provide a translucent appearence.  
It is used in cosmetics because it tends to be the mildest of these three 
salts.  Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is also a salt with sodium being the 
positive charge (cation).  SLS is used in formulations where high foam is 
important like shampoos and handsoaps.  There is one more you did not 
mention, Sodium lauryl ether sulfate.  This compound is similiar to SLS 
except that it has been ethoxylated to make it more water soluble.  It is 
used with SLS to perform a synergistic effect which increases foaming and 
mildness.

All three compounds are relatively mild and safe for external use.