Tromethamine: what it is in skincare
โก Quick answer: A buffering agent that helps neutralize and stabilize the pH of a gel or lotion.
A buffering agent that helps neutralize and stabilize the pH of a gel or lotion.
What it does
Function: ph-adjuster. pH adjusters fine-tune a formula to skin-friendly acidity, which keeps both the product and your skin barrier happy.
How to spot it on a label
On a Korean product's INCI list, look for Tromethamine. Ingredients are listed high-to-low by amount, so its position hints at how much is in the formula. See all ph adjusters โ
Explore the full K-beauty hub โโ๏ธ Written & reviewed by the KoreaPlus Editorial team โ dermatologist-informed, cosmetic-science researched & source-cited. Last reviewed 2026-06-21.
General educational information using cosmetic structure-function wording โ not medical advice. Always patch-test new actives. ยฉ KoreaPlus.