BUTTER-C
Signature ingredients
Triethyl citrate roll-on deodorant OEM/ODM manufacturing
Triethyl Citrate Roll-On Deodorant · Signature Ingredients · OEM/ODM
Triethyl citrate (INCI: Triethyl Citrate, TEC) is the triester of citric acid and ethanol — a clear, colorless, oily liquid found in many “aluminum-free” roll-ons and deodorant sprays. TEC is often introduced as an “inhibitor of odor-forming enzymes”: according to a patent (which uses the word “probably”), the ester is split on the skin, releasing acid that lowers surface pH so that bacterial esterases are blocked; a 1989 review places TEC among substances meant to influence skin surface pH. It is a plausible hypothesis with one test-tube enzyme assay, but the sources searched show no human study measuring odor reduction from TEC on its own — the evidence is limited. What is certain is that TEC does not reduce sweating. The US Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) panel concluded in 2014 that TEC is safe in the present practices of use and concentration, with 2% the highest level reported in deodorants; the ASEAN annexes do not name it. Butter-C’s triethyl citrate roll-on therefore promises body odor control and a pleasant scent, assessed on the finished product itself — not sweat prevention or any effect on bacteria. Butter-C offers turnkey OEM/ODM manufacturing, from formula development and testing to labeled finished goods and the notification dossier.
Formula base
Triethyl citrate, an alcohol-free water roll-on base and fragrance
A triethyl citrate roll-on contains no aluminum salts. What is specific is getting a liquid ester that is only partly water-soluble into a clear roll-on base and keeping it stable throughout the shelf life.
Triethyl Citrate (TEC)
Per PubChem (CID 6506): C12H20O7, 276.28 g/mol, CAS 77-93-0. CIR 2014: a clear, colorless, oily liquid; water solubility 5.5–6.5 g/100 mL, miscible with alcohol. Not in Butter-C’s current ingredient list — sourced per order, with a certificate of analysis for every lot (purity, acid value, water, heavy metals per the supplier’s specification).
Level compared with the CIR survey
The 2011 survey cited by CIR 2014: leave-on 0.004–6%; underarm deodorants 2% (propellant spray) — reported levels, not recommendations or levels with efficacy data. Butter-C keeps the level no higher than the top level reported for deodorants (2%) and confirms it by odor assessment, sensory evaluation and stability testing on the sample.
Alcohol-free water roll-on base
A clear Hydroxyethylcellulose gel or a thin Steareth-2/Steareth-21 emulsion with PPG-15 Stearyl Ether for the roll-on bottle; glycerin and allantoin for a gentle feel (formulation experience). The product is a roll-on; a spray format is not part of this dossier.
Fragrance, solubilizer, preservation
The model formula in Butter-C’s handbook premixes TEC with the fragrance and PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil before adding them to the water phase (per the triethyl citrate article); phenoxyethanol at no more than 1.0% (ASEAN Annex VI, Ref 29) with ethylhexylglycerin. Fragrance adds its allergens to the calculation sheet.
Key technical points
Odor control without blocking sweat, a mechanism still hypothetical, an ester to monitor
These four points are where a triethyl citrate roll-on differs from a standard roll-on; each is settled by a certificate of analysis, the formula sheet or a test on the sample.
Helps limit odor, does not reduce sweating
Underarm odor forms when Corynebacterium bacteria act on secretions that are odorless to begin with (Natsch 2003). TEC is not an aluminum salt and does not plug sweat ducts — sweat output is unchanged. For sweat reduction, see the aluminum chlorohydrate antiperspirant roll-on.
Mechanism: the esterase and pH hypothesis
US patent 5,968,488 (filed by a company in 1996) states that TEC inhibits bacterial esterases and explains, using the word “probably”, that acid released when the ester is cleaved lowers skin pH; the patent’s own test-tube assay: a mixture of 5% TEC, 20% ethanol and water (tested at 2000 ppm) left 77% of esterase activity after 15 minutes at pH 6. Lukacs and Korting (1989) place TEC among substances meant to influence skin surface pH. The key enzyme purified from Corynebacterium striatum is an aminoacylase, not an esterase (Natsch 2003); no source says whether TEC affects it.
An ester in a water base: monitor stability
TEC is an ester; the sources checked give no data on its hydrolysis rate in cosmetics by pH or temperature. Strongly acidic or alkaline bases can speed hydrolysis (general ester chemistry), yielding citric acid and ethanol (chemical inference). TEC is therefore added in the cool-down phase, the target pH is set by stability testing, and pH drift, odor and clarity are tracked; a steady pH drift is a signal to revisit the formula.
Skin, eyes and workplace safety
CIR 2014 summarizes human repeat-insult patch tests: neat TEC (59 people) and a blush containing 4.8% (106 people) were not irritating or sensitizing; in one test with skin pre-exposed to sodium lauryl sulfate (26 people), 15% TEC in alcohol caused irritation during induction but no sensitization. In guinea pigs, a maximization test classed it as a strong sensitizer (9/9 animals). TEC at 15% and 33.3% in alcohol irritated the conjunctiva and injured the cornea in rabbit eyes — wear safety glasses when weighing and pouring; keep the product away from the eyes.
Three formulation directions
Three triethyl citrate roll-on lines
Clear alcohol-free gel roll-on
Hydroxyethylcellulose gel, TEC premixed with fragrance and PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, glycerin, propanediol; clarity checked after cold storage. A fragrance-free version for people avoiding fragrance.
White emulsion roll-on
Steareth-2/Steareth-21 with PPG-15 Stearyl Ether, TEC added at cool-down with the fragrance, glycerin, allantoin; quick-dry feel and marks on clothing assessed on the sample.
Triethyl citrate – zinc ricinoleate roll-on
Combines the two groups of actives that the Lukacs 1989 review separates: skin surface pH and odor binding (see the zinc ricinoleate roll-on page — the premix usually contains triethanolamine, so every INCI is declared). The effect of the whole formula is stated only with odor assessment on the finished product.
Packaging must be designed with the formula
Plastic or glass roll-on bottles; base viscosity must suit the ball size and the cap must seal so the fragrance does not evaporate; stability tested in the actual commercial pack.
Parameters we monitor
What our R&D team measures on every sample
Below is the set of parameters Butter-C monitors during formula development and scale-up. Specific limits are agreed with you on the approved sample and then written into the product’s in-house specification.
- Ingredient certificate of analysis
- TEC: INCI, CAS 77-93-0, purity, acid value, water, heavy metals; confirmation that it is TEC itself, not Ethyl Citrates or Acetyl Triethyl Citrate (different INCI).
- Formula sheet
- Records the actual % TEC to compare with the CIR survey range, plus fragrance, solubilizer and total preservative levels.
- pH and viscosity
- Measured at 25 °C on every batch; pH drift tracked through the stability time points; viscosity determines how smoothly the ball rolls.
- Stability
- Freeze–thaw cycling and storage at 40 °C; watch for haze, separation, color, odor and pH change — signs of ester hydrolysis or poorly solubilized fragrance.
- Microbiology and preservative efficacy
- Tested at a GLP / ISO 17025-accredited laboratory; preservative efficacy (challenge) test per ISO 11930 for water-containing bases.
- Skin tolerance
- Irritation testing on the finished product before sign-off, especially for versions with alcohol or a strong fragrance.
- Deodorant efficacy (if hours are claimed)
- Underarm odor assessment by a trained panel (for example per ASTM E 1207) on the finished product itself, at an independent test facility.
- Marks on clothing and pack compatibility
- Tested on white and black fabric; watch for ball sticking, cap leaks and loss through the bottle neck.
Claims
Claims for an aluminum-free deodorant roll-on
Annex 03-MP of Vietnam’s Circular 06/2011/TT-BYT lists “stops perspiration” as an example of a function not accepted for deodorant products. With TEC alone, any sweat claim has even less basis because it does not reduce sweating; the mechanism may only be described as a hypothesis. Butter-C reviews label and marketing wording when preparing the notification dossier.
Body deodorant, helps limit underarm odor (to be tested on the finished product)
Instead of: claims about acting on odor-causing bacteria, “inhibits odor-forming enzymes” presented as proven.
Contains no aluminum salts (stated according to the actual formula)
Instead of: blocks sweat, stays dry all day, drug-like claims about excessive sweating.
Contains triethyl citrate — a supporting deodorant ingredient (ingredient description)
INCI “Triethyl Citrate” listed in the correct order of content. Instead of: “balances underarm pH” without measurement, “safe for all skin types”, “safe during pregnancy”.
Odor protection for the number of hours assessed
Only stated when the finished product itself has odor-assessment results; hours from other products are not borrowed.
Research data: read in context
Landa and Makin (2003; authors from a consumer goods company) used TEC in an unfragranced alcohol base as a comparator: the iron-chelating DTPA and BHT combination gave significantly greater deodorancy; the abstract does not give the TEC concentration and does not compare TEC with a base without actives. Charakida et al. (2007) tested a lotion containing TEC and ethyl linoleate in people with acne — the results belong to the whole lotion, in a dermatology setting (the paper has a 2010 erratum not yet read), and are not a basis for cosmetic claims.
Label warnings
Avoid contact with the eyes; do not apply to broken, irritated or freshly shaved skin (practical guidance); stop use if redness or itching occurs. PubMed (per the triethyl citrate article, searched 23/10/2026) has no case reports of contact allergy to TEC — not finding reports does not mean it cannot happen. Pregnancy and breastfeeding: data are insufficient; ask a doctor.
Manufacturing specifications
Available capabilities
- Texture
- Clear gel or thin emulsion for roll-on; lightly fragranced or fragrance-free.
- Triethyl citrate raw material
- Not in Butter-C’s current ingredient list; imported per order, every lot with a certificate of analysis.
- Pack format
- Plastic or glass roll-on bottles. Volume agreed when the packaging is chosen.
- Minimum order
- Agreed per order and per fragrance.
- Testing
- Performed at a GLP / ISO 17025-accredited laboratory, with a results report delivered with every batch.
- Documentation
- Product information file (PIF) and notification dossier prepared by Butter-C; TEC is not named in ASEAN Annexes II, III, VI or VII, so the level used is justified in the PIF safety assessment.
- Packaging
- Label design, printing and packing run in parallel with formula development.
Suggested product concept
Triethyl citrate clear gel roll-on, alcohol-free
A product concept to help you picture the possibilities, not a ready-made product for sale. The specific formula is built around your brand positioning and price range.
Triethyl Citrate as the named ingredient
Level no higher than the 2% CIR records for deodorants, confirmed by odor assessment and stability testing; certificate of analysis for every lot.
Alcohol-free Hydroxyethylcellulose gel
Glycerin, propanediol, allantoin; clarity, quick-dry feel and marks on dark clothing assessed on the sample.
Light fresh scent and a fragrance-free version
Fragrance solubilized together with TEC using PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil; a fragrance-free version for people avoiding fragrance.
50 ml roll-on bottle
Label with the correct INCI, directions to avoid the eyes and broken skin, and to stop use if irritation occurs.
Customization options
Options you can request
The same product type can serve very different customers. Tell us your requirements in the areas below and our pharmacists will build the matching formula.
Deodorant only, or sweat reduction too
TEC only supports odor control; adding aluminum salts moves the product to the antiperspirant line with its own limits and warnings (the aluminum chlorohydrate antiperspirant page, which includes a TEC option).
Product format
Gel or emulsion roll-on; stick and pump spray follow their own pages — each format has its own exposure assessment.
Fragrance
Fresh, floral, woody or fragrance-free; TEC is also a fragrance solvent, so the fragrance level is set on the sample.
Combining other deodorant actives
Zinc ricinoleate (odor binding) per its own page; each substance comes with its own dossier and limits.
Target users
Women, men, active people; positioning for children needs a separate assessment and is outside this page.
Ingredient direction
Alcohol-free, fragrance-free, vegan (when the supplier confirms the raw material source) — please state these at the outset.
Further reading
Related knowledge
Triethyl citrate (TEC) in cosmetics
What has data and what is still hypothesis, CIR levels, ASEAN status.
Roll-on deodorant manufacturing
The general page on deodorant and antiperspirant roll-ons; this page focuses on triethyl citrate.
Zinc ricinoleate roll-on deodorant manufacturing
An aluminum-free line using an odor-binding active, with a triethyl citrate option.
Aluminum chlorohydrate antiperspirant roll-on manufacturing
When a brand also needs sweat reduction.
Deodorant spray manufacturing
The spray format, also using triethyl citrate as a supporting deodorant ingredient.
Sweat and body odor
The difference between deodorants and antiperspirants.
Citric acid in cosmetics
Citric acid — what remains when the ester is cleaved, and a pH adjuster.
How we work
From idea to finished batch
Eight steps and three milestones signed off by both sides: approved sample, notification number, finished batch. Step-by-step details →
Get started
Tell us about the product you plan to launch
Send us your product direction and expected volume. Our team will get back to you during business hours (Vietnam time, GMT+7).
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