C14-15 PARETH-7

C14-15 Pareth-7 is a synthetic chemical ingredient that belongs to a group of compounds known as ethoxylated alcohols, which are created by combining fatty alcohols with ethylene oxide. 
C14-15 Pareth-7 is specifically made from a blend of C14–C15 fatty alcohols, meaning that the carbon chains in its molecular structure contain between 14 and 15 carbon atoms, and the number “7” indicates that it has, on average, seven units of ethylene oxide attached to each alcohol molecule.
C14-15 Pareth-7 is part of a family of ingredients known as polyethylene glycol (PEG) ethers, which are widely used in both industrial and consumer applications due to their ability to act as solubilizers, detergents, and emulsifiers. 

CAS Number: 68951-67-7

Synonyms:C14-15 Pareth-7, C14-15 Alketh-7 (Formerly C14-15 Pareth-7), C14-15 PARETH-7 [INCI], Dobanol 45, Dobanol 45-11, Dobanol 45-3, Dobanol 45E4, Dobanol 45E7, Ethoxylated C14-15 alcohols, Imbentin C 145/100, Imbentin L 145/093, Imbentin L 145/100, JHX9BW95NE, NEODOL 45-7, Neodol 45-18, Neodol 45-2.25, Neodol 4511, PARETH-45-7, Pareth 45-13, Pareth 45-7, RefChem:573056, Slovasol 458, Slovasol 459, TOMADOL 45-7, Teric 15A11, C14-15 PARETH-7, C14-15 PARETH-11, C14-15 PARETH-12, C14-15 PARETH-13, Alcohols, C14-15, ethoxylated, NEODOL45-7, C14-C15LINEARALCOHOL7-ETHOXYLATE, Alcohol-(C14-C15), ethoxylated

C14-15 Pareth-7 is valued for being relatively mild on the skin while still providing effective cleansing and emulsifying properties, which is why it is widely included in products designed for daily use.
The “C14-15” portion of its name refers to the length of the fatty alcohol chains, which are derived from natural or synthetic sources, and this length is important because it influences how soluble and effective the compound will be in different formulations. 

This ingredient functions mainly as a nonionic surfactant and emulsifier, which means it helps reduce the surface tension between different substances such as oil and water, allowing them to mix more effectively. 
Because of this property, C14-15 Pareth-7 is commonly used in cosmetic and personal care products like shampoos, body washes, facial cleansers, creams, and lotions, where it helps to dissolve oils, spread ingredients evenly, and create a stable product texture.
In addition to cosmetics, it can also be found in some household cleaning formulations, where it improves the cleaning efficiency by breaking down greasy residues and dirt. 

This balance is essential because it gives C14-15 Pareth-7 the ability to act as a bridge between substances that normally do not mix, such as oil and water. 
As a result, it plays a key role in stabilizing emulsions, which are mixtures of water and oil-based ingredients that would otherwise separate. 
The “Pareth” segment of the name indicates that it is a polyethylene glycol ether of a fatty alcohol, and the number “7” designates the average number of ethylene oxide units that have been added, which controls the balance between its water-loving (hydrophilic) and oil-loving (lipophilic) characteristics.

In personal care products, this means it helps lotions stay smooth and uniform, prevents shampoos and body washes from separating, and ensures that active ingredients are evenly dispersed throughout the formula for consistent performance.
C14-15 Pareth-7 is also valued for its mildness compared to harsher detergents, making it suitable for use on skin and hair without causing significant irritation in most people. 
Its cleansing action works by surrounding oil and dirt particles, breaking them into smaller droplets, and suspending them in water so they can be rinsed away easily. 

This property makes it an effective yet gentle cleaning agent, which is why it is commonly chosen for formulations meant for daily use.
Beyond cosmetics, it has applications in household cleaning products, where its ability to dissolve oils and lift away soils makes it a useful ingredient in all-purpose cleaners, dishwashing liquids, and laundry detergents. 
Manufacturers appreciate it because it provides reliable performance across a wide range of conditions, including hard water environments, and it is compatible with many other surfactants and ingredients, allowing flexible product design.

C14-15 Pareth-7 is produced through a chemical process called ethoxylation, where ethylene oxide is added to fatty alcohols that have carbon chain lengths of 14 and 15. 
This reaction alters the physical and chemical properties of the original fatty alcohols, making them more water-soluble and versatile for use in formulations. 
Because of the seven ethylene oxide units, the compound has a strong affinity for both water and oil, which gives it excellent surfactant and emulsifying qualities. 

This amphiphilic (dual-loving) nature is one of the main reasons it is used so extensively in cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and cleaning applications.
In cosmetic and personal care products, C14-15 Pareth-7 not only stabilizes emulsions but also helps to improve the feel and texture of the final product. 
For example, in creams and lotions, it ensures a smooth, spreadable consistency, making it easier to apply on the skin. 

In shampoos and body washes, it contributes to the formation of a stable and pleasant foam while also enhancing the ability of the product to remove oils, sweat, and other impurities from skin and hair. 
Additionally, it can act as a solubilizer, meaning it helps dissolve fragrance oils, essential oils, or other ingredients that would otherwise be difficult to incorporate into water-based systems.
From a formulation perspective, it is prized for its compatibility with a wide range of other ingredients. 

C14-15 Pareth-7 works well with both ionic and nonionic surfactants, allowing formulators to blend it into diverse product types without destabilizing the mixture. 
C14-15 Pareth-7 is also relatively stable across different pH ranges and temperatures, which makes it reliable for manufacturing processes and for products that may be stored under different environmental conditions.
C14-15 Pareth-7 is often used at relatively low concentrations in formulations, yet it delivers significant functional benefits. 

C14-15 Pareth-7s presence can improve the stability, usability, and overall consumer appeal of the product. 
In cleaning products, for instance, even small amounts can boost the detergent power of the formula, making it more efficient at cutting through grease and grime. 
In skincare, its inclusion ensures that emulsions do not separate over time, which is essential for product quality and shelf-life.

C14-15 Pareth-7 is also worth noting that this ingredient is often considered to be mild and safe for most consumers, which explains its frequent use in rinse-off products such as shampoos, cleansers, and body washes. 
However, like many ethoxylated compounds, it may contain trace impurities such as 1,4-dioxane, a byproduct of the manufacturing process. 
While manufacturers usually take steps to minimize and remove such residues, regulatory bodies encourage careful quality control to ensure that products remain safe for human use.

Finally, the environmental aspect of C14-15 Pareth-7 is also important. 
Being a surfactant, it eventually enters wastewater after consumer use, and studies have shown that many ethoxylated alcohols are biodegradable under the right conditions. 
However, incomplete biodegradation can sometimes lead to environmental concerns, especially in aquatic ecosystems, so regulatory guidelines often emphasize proper formulation and responsible use.

Uses:
C14-15 Pareth-7 is primarily used as a nonionic surfactant, emulsifier, and solubilizer, meaning that it helps to reduce surface tension between substances like oil and water, allowing them to blend into stable mixtures that would not naturally form on their own. 
In the field of cosmetics and personal care, it is widely included in products such as facial cleansers, body washes, shampoos, conditioners, creams, and lotions, where it works to stabilize emulsions, improve product texture, and enhance cleansing performance without being overly harsh on the skin or hair.

One of its most important uses is in skincare formulations, where it enables oil-based and water-based ingredients to remain evenly mixed, which ensures that creams and lotions maintain a smooth and uniform texture throughout their shelf life. 
In addition, its ability to dissolve and evenly distribute fragrance oils, essential oils, or other active ingredients makes it valuable for products that require both consistency and a pleasant sensory experience.
In haircare products, such as shampoos and conditioners, C14-15 Pareth-7 contributes to the formation of foam and helps lift away excess oils, dirt, and styling residues from the hair and scalp.

At the same time, it provides a gentler cleansing effect compared to harsher detergents like sulfates, which is why it is often chosen for formulations that aim to be mild and suitable for frequent use.
Beyond cosmetics, C14-15 Pareth-7 is also used in household cleaning products including multipurpose cleaners, dishwashing liquids, and laundry detergents, where it helps break down grease and dirt by surrounding oily particles, suspending them in water, and making them easy to rinse away. 
Its ability to function effectively even in hard water conditions makes it useful in cleaning applications where mineral deposits might otherwise reduce product performance.

In some industrial and pharmaceutical contexts, it can serve as a solubilizer for difficult-to-dissolve compounds, allowing formulators to prepare solutions or dispersions that would otherwise separate. 
For example, it may be used in topical medications or creams where consistent delivery of active ingredients is essential.
Overall, the uses of C14-15 Pareth-7 span across multiple industries because it is a highly versatile ingredient: it improves the stability, performance, and sensory qualities of personal care items, it enhances the cleaning power and efficiency of household products,  and it supports the preparation of specialized emulsions or solutions in industrial and pharmaceutical fields.

C14-15 Pareth-7 is most commonly used in cosmetic formulations, where it plays multiple roles in enhancing the overall performance and quality of the product. 
In moisturizers and lotions, it helps oil-based ingredients like plant oils, silicones, or waxes blend smoothly with water-based components, creating a stable emulsion that maintains a creamy consistency without separating over time. 
This not only improves the aesthetic and sensory appeal of the product but also ensures that active ingredients such as vitamins, antioxidants, or botanical extracts are evenly distributed and consistently delivered to the skin during application.

In cleansing products such as facial washes, shower gels, and shampoos, C14-15 Pareth-7 works by surrounding oil and dirt particles, breaking them down into smaller droplets, and dispersing them in water so they can be rinsed away easily. 
This mechanism provides effective cleaning while remaining gentler than many stronger surfactants, making it suitable for daily-use products intended for sensitive skin or hair. 
In shampoos, it additionally contributes to a pleasant foaming effect that consumers associate with cleanliness, while helping to remove excess sebum, sweat, and styling products without leaving hair overly dry or stripped.

Another major use of C14-15 Pareth-7 is as a solubilizer, where it allows small amounts of oil-based materials, such as fragrances, essential oils, or lipophilic active agents, to dissolve into water-based systems. 
This is particularly valuable in perfumed body sprays, toners, and lightweight gels, where maintaining clarity and stability is important to consumer appeal. 
Without solubilizers like C14-15 Pareth-7, these products would become cloudy, separate, or fail to deliver the intended sensory experience.

In sunscreens and skincare treatments, this ingredient is often employed to keep UV filters or oil-based treatment agents evenly dispersed in the formula, ensuring that the protective or therapeutic effect is consistently spread across the skin. 
By maintaining an even distribution, it enhances the effectiveness of these products and prevents issues like uneven coverage, streaking, or instability during storage.

Outside of cosmetics, C14-15 Pareth-7 has valuable uses in household cleaning and industrial formulations. 
C14-15 Pareth-7 is added to dishwashing liquids, all-purpose cleaners, and fabric care products because of its ability to break down grease and oily soils, even in environments with hard water that would normally reduce cleaning efficiency. 
In industrial contexts, it may be used in emulsifying oils, preparing textile treatments, or formulating specialty cleaners, where its compatibility with a wide range of other surfactants and chemicals makes it a flexible choice for product designers.

Its versatility means that C14-15 Pareth-7 serves as a multifunctional ingredient, simultaneously enhancing stability, improving cleansing action, supporting solubilization, and delivering a better sensory feel across different product types. 
This broad applicability explains why it is considered a “workhorse” ingredient in both consumer and industrial products, providing reliable performance in everything from skincare creams to laundry detergents.

Safety Profile:
C14-15 Pareth-7 is generally regarded as safe for use in cosmetics, personal care, and household products when formulated at appropriate concentrations, but like many surfactants, it can still pose certain hazards if handled in pure or highly concentrated form. 
Because it is a surfactant, direct and repeated contact with the skin may lead to irritation, dryness, or redness, especially in people with sensitive or damaged skin. 
This happens because surfactants can strip away natural oils from the outer layer of the skin, disrupting its protective barrier and leading to discomfort or mild inflammation.

In the case of eye exposure, C14-15 Pareth-7 can cause irritation, burning, and watering, since surfactants are known to disrupt the delicate tissues of the eye more easily than the skin. 
For this reason, care must be taken during handling in industrial settings, and products that contain it in high concentrations must avoid direct contact with the eyes.
Another potential hazard comes from its method of production. 

C14-15 Pareth-7 is manufactured through ethoxylation, a process that can generate trace contaminants such as 1,4-dioxane, which is a by-product classified as a possible human carcinogen. 
While cosmetic and cleaning product manufacturers usually refine and purify ingredients to reduce these contaminants to extremely low and safe levels, poor quality control could lead to their presence in finished products. 
Regulatory authorities such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Union recommend strict monitoring and purification to keep such impurities to a minimum.

From an inhalation perspective, C14-15 Pareth-7 is not typically a risk in finished consumer products, since it is usually dissolved in liquids like shampoos or lotions. 
However, in industrial settings where powdered or aerosolized forms might be handled, inhalation of vapors, dust, or mist could irritate the respiratory system, leading to coughing, throat irritation, or shortness of breath. 
Proper protective equipment and ventilation are therefore recommended in manufacturing facilities.