Ceteareth-20

Ceteareth-20 is a non-ionic compound that is made by reacting Cetearyl alcohol with twenty molecules of ethylene oxide. The number written along with this compound actually represents the number of ethylene oxide molecules that are added when making it.

Ceteareth-20 is an emulsifying agent that is found in a range of skin care and hair care products. Its special properties help to keep skin and hair smooth, soft, and supple. Ceteareth-20 appears white in color and is an odorless compound that attracts both oil and water, thus keeping the formulations together and stabilizing them. Additionally, it works well with almost all the other ingredients and is safe for all skin types.

Additional information

CAS

68439-49-6

Functions

EMULSIFYING, CLEANSING, emollient

Formula

R(OCH₂CH₂)nOH, where R is a mixture of alkyl groups from cetyl and stearyl alcohol, and 'n' is the average number of ethylene oxide units, which is 20 for Ceteareth-20

Molar Mass

1100 g/mol

Application

various cosmetic and personal care products like lotions, creams, and moisturizers for a smooth texture, in shampoos and conditioners for stability and softness, sunscreen

Restriction

Ceteareth-20 is safe for skin and hair but should not be used on damaged surfaces. The recommended use percent for Ceteareth-20 is 0-6%, and should not exceed 30% in any case.

Trade names

EUMULGIN B2