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Ceteareth-13 is a nonionic ethoxylated fatty alcohol (INCI name Ceteareth-13) widely used as an emulsifier and surfactant in cosmetics, personal care, and selected industrial formulations.
The material is produced by ethoxylation of C16–C18 fatty alcohols (cetyl/stearyl mixture) with ~13 ethylene oxide units on average.
Due to the balance of hydrophilic polyoxyethylene chain length and lipophilic alkyl chain, Ceteareth-13 functions as an effective oil-in-water emulsifier and solubilizer, with moderate HLB value suitable for conditioning creams, lotions, and rinse-off products.
Identification and synonyms
INCI name: CETEARETH-13
CAS number (commonly reported): 68439-49-6
IUPAC / descriptive name: C16-18 alcohols, ethoxylated (13 mol EO average)
Common synonyms / trade names: Polyoxyethylene (13) cetyl/stearyl ether; PEG-13 cetyl/stearyl ether; Polyethylene glycol (13) cetyl/stearyl ether; POLYOXYETHYLENE (13) CETYL/STEARYL ETHER.
Chemical description and structure
Ceteareth-13 is not a single discrete molecule but a polydisperse mixture arising from two primary fatty alcohol homologues (cetyl C16 and stearyl C18 in varying ratios) that have been ethoxylated to produce a range of oligomer lengths centered around an average of 13 ethylene oxide units.
General structural formula: R–O–(CH2CH2O)n–H where R = C16–C18 alkyl, n ≈ 13 (average).
The distribution of chain lengths yields a distribution of molecular weights; typical number-average molecular weight (Mn) is in the range of 900–1200 g·mol−1 depending on the cetyl/stearyl ratio and the exact degree of ethoxylation.
Molecular heterogeneity
Commercial Ceteareth-13 is characterized by a polydispersity both in the alkyl chain (C16–C18) and in the ethoxylate chain length.
This heterogeneity affects solubility, cloud point, and emulsification behavior; therefore analytical characterization (see Section 6) is important for formulation reproducibility.
Manufacture and production routes
Raw materials
Fatty alcohol feedstock: Cetearyl alcohol or a cetyl/stearyl alcohol mixture, typically derived from hydrogenation of natural fats and oils (palm, coconut, tallow) or from synthetic routes.
Ethylene oxide (EO): The alkoxylation reagent; reaction control determines average degree of ethoxylation and distribution.
Catalysts: Basic catalysts such as potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide are common; acidic or neutral catalysts and controlled processes yield narrower distributions.
Ethoxylation process
Ethoxylation is performed in a pressure vessel where the fatty alcohol is heated and EO is added progressively under controlled temperature and pressure.
Parameters controlled include temperature ramp, EO feed rate, catalyst concentration, and neutralization/finishing steps to remove residual catalyst and unreacted EO. Quality control ensures targeted average EO number (13) and residual EO below specification limits.
Post-treatment and finishing
After reaction completion, formulations are neutralized, deaerated, and stripped of unreacted EO and volatile impurities under vacuum. Antioxidants or chelants may be added optionally depending on intended use.
Physical and chemical properties
Typical properties (representative commercial grade; always consult supplier spec sheet):
Appearance: Clear to slightly hazy viscous liquid or waxy paste at room temperature depending on alkyl composition and grade.
Odor: Mild fatty.
Density: ≈ 0.98–1.02 g·cm−3 (varies by grade).
Refractive index: Grade-dependent; used in QC.
pH (1% aq): Slightly acidic to neutral, typically 5–7, depending on finishing.
Hydrophile–lipophile balance (HLB): Intermediate HLB (approx. 8–12) making it suitable for oil-in-water emulsions; exact HLB depends on alkyl chain ratio and EO distribution.
Cloud point: Temperature at which a nonionic surfactant solution becomes turbid; influenced by EO number and ionic strength.
Solubility: Soluble/dispersion in water above CMC and when formulated; soluble in alcohols and a range of organic solvents.
Analytical methods and quality control
Determination of degree of ethoxylation
1H-NMR and 13C-NMR: to estimate average EO units and verify alkyl chain composition.
GPC/SEC (size-exclusion chromatography): molecular weight distribution.
GC/MS after cleavage or derivatization: to determine fatty alcohol distribution.
Purity and residuals
Residual ethylene oxide: Gas chromatographic headspace or GC-FID methods.
Residual 1,4-dioxane: If present as contaminant; analyze by GC/MS or GC-FID after appropriate extraction.
Water content: Karl Fischer titration.
Functional testing
HLB measurement: calculated and verified with emulsification trials.
Cloud point measurement: by turbidity or DSC.
Mechanism of action and surface chemistry
Ceteareth-13 lowers interfacial tension between oil and water by adsorbing at the oil–water interface via the hydrophobic alkyl tail while the polyoxyethylene chain extends into the aqueous phase, providing steric stabilization.
The polyoxyethylene chain also enables solubilization of low levels of hydrophobic actives and can contribute to mild detergency.
SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT CETEARETH-13
First aid measures:
Description of first aid measures:
General advice:
Consult a physician.
Show this safety data sheet to the doctor in attendance.
Move out of dangerous area:
If inhaled:
If breathed in, move person into fresh air.
If not breathing, give artificial respiration.
Consult a physician.
In case of skin contact:
Take off contaminated clothing and shoes immediately.
Wash off with soap and plenty of water.
Consult a physician.
In case of eye contact:
Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes and consult a physician.
Continue rinsing eyes during transport to hospital.
If swallowed:
Do NOT induce vomiting.
Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.
Rinse mouth with water.
Consult a physician.
Firefighting measures:
Extinguishing media:
Suitable extinguishing media:
Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide.
Special hazards arising from the substance or mixture
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas
Advice for firefighters:
Wear self-contained breathing apparatus for firefighting if necessary.
Accidental release measures:
Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures
Use personal protective equipment.
Avoid breathing vapours, mist or gas.
Evacuate personnel to safe areas.
Environmental precautions:
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up:
Soak up with inert absorbent material and dispose of as hazardous waste.
Keep in suitable, closed containers for disposal.
Handling and storage:
Precautions for safe handling:
Avoid inhalation of vapour or mist.
Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities:
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place.
Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage.
Storage class (TRGS 510): 8A: Combustible, corrosive hazardous materials
Exposure controls/personal protection:
Control parameters:
Components with workplace control parameters
Contains no substances with occupational exposure limit values.
Exposure controls:
Appropriate engineering controls:
Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice.
Wash hands before breaks and at the end of workday.
Personal protective equipment:
Eye/face protection:
Tightly fitting safety goggles.
Faceshield (8-inch minimum).
Use equipment for eye protection tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or EN 166(EU).
Skin protection:
Handle with gloves.
Gloves must be inspected prior to use.
Use proper glove
removal technique (without touching glove's outer surface) to avoid skin contact with this product.
Dispose of contaminated gloves after use in accordance with applicable laws and good laboratory practices.
Wash and dry hands.
Full contact:
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
Splash contact
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
It should not be construed as offering an approval for any specific use scenario.
Body Protection:
Complete suit protecting against chemicals, The type of protective equipment must be selected according to the concentration and amount of the dangerous substance at the specific workplace.
Respiratory protection:
Where risk assessment shows air-purifying respirators are appropriate use a fullface respirator with multi-purpose combination (US) or type ABEK (EN 14387) respirator cartridges as a backup to engineering controls.
If the respirator is the sole means of protection, use a full-face supplied air respirator.
Use respirators and components tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or CEN (EU).
Control of environmental exposure
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
Stability and reactivity:
Chemical stability:
Stable under recommended storage conditions.
Incompatible materials:
Strong oxidizing agents:
Hazardous decomposition products:
Hazardous decomposition products formed under fire conditions.
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas.
Disposal considerations:
Waste treatment methods:
Product:
Offer surplus and non-recyclable solutions to a licensed disposal company.
Contact a licensed professional waste disposal service to dispose of this material.
Contaminated packaging:
Dispose of as unused product
