2,2',2''-Nitrilotris-ethanol; 2,2',2''-Nitrilotri-ethanol; 2,2',2''-Nitrilotriethanol; 2,2',2''-Nitrilotris[ethanol]; 2-[Bis(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]ethanol; Alkanolamine 244; Biafine; Daltogen; NSC 36718; Nitrilotriethanol; S 80; S 80 (amine); Sterolamide; Sting-Kill; TEA; TEA (Amino Alcohol); TEOA; Tri(2-hydroxyethyl)amine; Triethanolamin; Triethanolamine; Tris(2-hydroxyethyl)amine; Tris(β-hydroxyethyl)amine; Tris-amino Ultra PC; Trolamine; Tris-(2-Hydroxyethyl)amine

Triethanolamine is used primarily as a surfactant, reducing the surface tension between two media. It is also used as a general emulsifier for preparations, such as ones involving drug penetration assays.