Quick Search
EC / List no.: 939-518-5
CAS no.: 68439-49-6
Mol. formula: (C2H4O)1-3(CH2)14,16(CH2)14,16C4H12O2
Ceteareth-20 is the polyethylene glycol ether of cetearyl alcohol.
Ceteareth-20 functions as an emollient, surfactant and emulsifier.
Ceteareth 20 is used in cosmetics such as facial moisturizer, conditioner, anti-aging treatment, conditioner, cleanser, sunscreen, exfoliant/scrub, depilatory cream and acne treatment.
CETEARETH-20 is classified as :
Cleansing
Emulsifying
Surfactant
A common functional ingredient that helps to keep the oil-loving and water-loving ingredients together (emulsifier), stabilizes and thickens the products.
Chemically speaking, it is ethoxylated Cetearyl alcohol, meaning that some ethylene oxide is added to the fatty alcohol to increase the water-soluble part in the molecule.
The result is that the mainly oil-soluble, emollient fatty alcohol is converted to an emulsifier molecule that keeps oil and water mixed in creams.
The number in the name of Ceteareth emulsifiers refers to the average number of ethylene oxide molecules added and 20 makes a good emulsifier.
What Is Ceteareth-20?
Ceteareth-20 is a skincare and cosmetic ingredient used to improve the texture and stability of products.
Ceteareth is a synthetic compound that functions as an emulsifier and surfactant in formulations.
The group of ceteareth ingredients are synthetic compounds that are synthesized through a process known as ethoxylation, a chemical reaction in which ethylene oxide is added to a substrate.
In regards to the ceteareth ingredients, there are two substrates: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol, which are both naturally derived from coconut oil.
There are a total of 32 different types of ceteareth ingredients.
Ceteareth-20 helps to improve the texture and stability of a product.
What Is Ceteareth-20 Used For?
Ceteareth-20 functions as a surfactant and an emulsifier in many different cosmetics and skincare products, including facial moisturizers, anti-aging treatments, conditioners, cleansers, sunscreens, exfoliants, and acne treatments.
Surfactant
Surfactant is the other name for surface active agents.
Surfactants are compounds that lower the surface tension between two substances, such as two liquids or a liquid and a solid.
In skincare products, surfactants work to degrease and emulsify oils and fats and suspend dirt, allowing them to be washed away.
This is possible because while one end of the surfactant molecule is attracted to water, the other end is attracted to oil.
Thus, surfactants attract the oil, dirt, and other impurities that have accumulated on your skin during the day and wash them away. Due to these properties, ceteareth-20 can be found in many different cleansers and body washes.
Emulsifier and stabilizer
Ceteareth-20 also functions as an emulsifier.
An emulsifier is needed for products that contain both water and oil components, for example, when oils are added to a water-based formula. When water and oil are mixed together they will often separate and split in the product over time.
To address this problem, an emulsifier can be added to produce a stable emulsion.
As an emulsifier, ceteareth-20 consists of a water-loving hydrophilic head and an oil-loving hydrophobic tail.
The hydrophilic head is directed to the aqueous phase and the hydrophobic tail to the oil phase.
Once again, ceteareth-20 reduces the surface tension by positioning itself at the oil/water or air/water interface, which has a stabilizing effect on the emulsion.
Ceteareth-20
White pellets of non-ionic polyoxyethylene ether of higher saturated fats (cetyl/stearyl alcohol).
Ceteareth-20 has no odour and can be mixed with a wide variety of oils from fully natural to synthetic.
Characteristics
A good all round emulsifier to produce o/w emulsions which are compatible with a large range of oils.
Ceteareth 20 can be used alone or best combined with other emulsifiers to help stabilise the emulsion.
Products to Use in:
- Moisture Cream
- Moisture Lotion
- Body Butter
- Cleanser
- Face Mask
- Skin Peels
- Shower Gel
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Latin Name
- Ceteareth-20
Cas Number: 68439-49-6
Origin: Coconut
Appearance: Pellets / White Flakes
Odour: Bland
Uses:
Creams, lotions, serums, foundations, hair conditioners
Ceteareth-20 is the polyethylene glycol ether of Cetearyl alcohol.
Ceteareth 20 acts as an emollient and emulsifier found in many skin care formulations.
It’s usually formulated in combination with other alcohols and fatty acids to thicken a solution and help other ingredients dissolve in a solvent.
Ceteareth-20 is a nonionic stabilizer in oil in water (O/W) emulsions.
Ceteareth-20 is one of the most common emollients used in cosmetics, and you can find it in products such as hair dye, facial moisturizer, anti-aging treatment, conditioner, cleanser, sunscreen, exfoliant/scrub, depilatory cream, and acne treatment.
A nonionic surfactant prepared from cetyl-stearyl alcohol and 20 moles of ethylene oxide.
Ceteareth-20 is a high HLB emulsifier used in oil-in-water emulsions.
Provides exceptionally stable emulsions when used in combination with another emulsifier such as glyceryl stearate.
Soluble in water and isopropyl alcohol.
Fatty (non-irritating) alcohol often used to thicken/enhance the texture of skin care formulas
Can also be used as a surfactant (cleansing agent)
Helps other ingredients in a formula stay mixed together/stable
Ceteareth-20 Description
Ceteareth-20 is a fatty (non-irritating) alcohol that plays various roles in skin care formulations.
Ceteareth 20 can be used as a surfactant (cleansing agent) or to thicken/enhance the product’s consistency.
Ceteareth 20 can also be used to help other ingredients in a formula solubilize and stay mixed together/stable, which contributes to efficacy.
Ceteareth-20 has a track record of safe use in cosmetics and is backed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel. Their most recent report (at the time of this writing) looked at products containing up to 11% ceteareth-20.
Description: Emulsifying wax is a vegetable based emulsifier used for combining oil and water in recipes for lotions, creams, and other cosmetics.
Derived from plant-based alcohols and derivatives.
Benefits
What we love most about ceteareth 20 is its functionality as both a surfactant and an emulsifier.
The fatty alcohol compound is able to decrease the surface tension between two substances (such as a liquid and a solid).
Ceteareth 20 is able to do this because one end of a ceteareth 20 molecule is attracted to water, while the other end is attracted to oil, dirt, or other impurities.
Thus, the presence of ceteareth 20 in a skincare product such as facial cleanser or body wash makes it so that the product attracts the dirt on your skin and can then easily wash it away.
Secondly, ceteareth 20 is an extremely powerful emulsifier. An ingredient with emulsifying properties, such as ceteareth 20, is a must in any product that contains both oil and water.
That is because without an emulsifier, the two, even if shaken and mixed together well, would eventually separate.
Ceteareth 20 helps keep the ingredients mixed together well which improves the feel of the product and increases its shelf life.
Ceteareth is a fatty alcohol which is made from Cetearyl Alcohol (a combination of cetyl and stearyl alcohol) and ethylene oxide.
The numeric value along with it denotes the number of ethylene oxide molecules added to it to generate that particular Ceteareth ingredient.
For example, Ceteareth 20 is made by combining 20 molecules of ethylene oxide to Cetearyl Alcohol.
Ceteareth 20 is also known to be the polyethylene glycol ether of Cetearyl Alcohol.
These compounds are nonionic surfactants which attract both water and oil at the same time.
Ceteareth 20 usually acts as an emollient and emulsifying agent in many skin care and hair care formulations.
Ceteareth 20 is formulated in combination with fatty acids and other alcohols to add thickness to the formulation and it also helps other active ingredients dissolve in the solvent.
Ceteareth 20 is odourless and can be mixed with natural as well as synthetic oils.
ROLE OF CETEARETH 20 IN SKINCARE PRODUCTS
Ceteareth 20 is a chemical compound which is made by combining Cetearyl Alcohol and ethylene oxide.
Ceteareth 20 is commonly used as an emollient in many skin care products which help to make your skin soft, supple and smooth.
Ceteareth 20 acts as an emulsifier in the skincare formulation.
An emulsifier is required in the formulation which contains both water and oil.
When water and oil are mixed together, it gets separated and the oil forms a thin film on the surface.
In the skincare products, in which oil is added to the water-based formula, it helps in binding the water and oil together and gives stability to the product.
Ceteareth 20 is compatible with a wide variety of oils and is soluble in water and isopropyl alcohol.
Ceteareth 20 acts as an excellent surfactant which helps to reduce the surface tension of the substances to be emulsified and helps to cleanse your skin thoroughly by allowing water to mix with oil and grime so that it could be washed away while rinsing.
ROLE OF CETEARETH 20 IN HAIR CARE PRODUCTS
Ceteareth 20 works with other alcohols and fatty acids to add viscosity to the formulation and helps other active ingredients to dissolve in the solvent.
Ceteareth 20 acts as a nonionic stabilizer in oil and in water emulsions.
You find Ceteareth 20 in a lot of hair care products, because of its emollient and emulsifying properties which make your hair soft and shiny.
The emollient property of Ceteareth 20 helps to add moisture to your hair and makes the hair look silky, shiny and well hydrated.
Ceteareth 20 makes your scalp healthy by keeping it hydrated, thereby preventing dry and itchy scalp.
Ceteareth 20 is hydrophilic in nature, thereby attracts water molecules and helps retain moisture, thereby keeping your strands well hydrated.
Ceteareth 20 also acts as an excellent surfactant in cosmetic products.
As a surfactant, Ceteareth 20 helps to lower the surface tension between liquid and liquid or liquid and solid.
Ceteareth 20 allows the water molecules to mix with oil and dirt present on the hair and scalp, thus helping to get rid of the residue from your strands while washing.
Most of the surfactants have one hydrophilic end and the other lipophilic end.
One end attracts the water molecule while the other combines with the grease and dirt present on the surface of your strands which gets washed away.
As an emulsifier in the hair care formulation, Ceteareth 20 helps to bind water molecules and oil together, giving more stability to the product.
The main function of Ceteareth 20 as an emulsifier is to hold all the active ingredients in the formulation together, especially oil and water in the water-based formula.
BENEFITS OF CETEARETH 20
Ceteareth 20 is a non-ionic polyoxyethylene ether of higher fatty alcohols. Ceteareth 20 is a white coloured, odourless compound which can be combined with a large variety of oils both natural as well as synthetic.
Ceteareth 20 is a chemical compound which is used extensively in many skincare, hair care and personal care formulations.
Ceteareth 20 is added in most of the cosmetic products not because it is directly beneficial to your skin or hair in any way, but because of its composition and functions. Due to its incredible properties, Ceteareth 20 has secured a prominent place in the beauty industry. Let us take a closer look at the benefits of Ceteareth 20.
Ceteareth 20 is considered to be a universal emulsifier which produces o/w emulsion which is known to be compatible with a wide variety of oils.
Ceteareth 20 can be used alone or along with other emulsifiers to help stabilize the formulation.
Its emollient property helps to keep your skin soft and smooth.
Ceteareth 20 also makes your hair silky and shiny.
Ceteareth 20 adds thickness by increasing the viscosity of the product formula, making your product look rich and creamy.
Ceteareth 20 works best with gel-forming thickeners, hence extensively used in facial serums and hair gels.
Ceteareth 20 acts as a protective colloid which helps to stabilize all kinds of dispersed active ingredients.
Ceteareth 20 acts as a surfactant in your skincare and hair care products.
The main function of a surfactant is to lower the surface tension between 2 liquids or solid-liquid, which allows them to mix together such as water and grime-dirt. This action is responsible for the cleansing property in your shampoos, conditioners, soaps, skin cleansers, body washes, face washes etc.
Ceteareth 20 is used alone or it can also be used along with other emulsifiers for providing stability to the formulation.
Ceteareth 20 helps to bind all the active ingredients together in your skincare and haircare formulations, thereby making your formula more stable.
As Ceteareth 20 prevents the active ingredients in the formula from separating, it aids in the even application of the products, which helps to enhance the product performance.
The Cetearyl alcohol in the Ceteareth 20 is derived from natural oil (cetyl and stearyl alcohol) which helps to add thickness to the product, providing stability to the product formulation and is responsible for its emollient property.
These are some of the beneficial properties of Ceteareth 20, due to which it is extensively being used in the production of many skincare and hair care products you use daily.
Ceteareth 20 is considered to be a key ingredient in many surfactant-based formulations.
USES OF CETEARETH 20
Ceteareth 20 is considered to be a key ingredient in all kinds of emulsion-based products, hence used in many bath products, toiletries and personal care products.
Ceteareth 20 acts as an excellent emulsifier, surfactant and exhibits emollient properties.
Its emollient property makes it an ideal choice in creams, moisturizing lotions, anti-ageing creams, shampoos, conditions, hair gels and serums.
Due to its emulsifying property, it is used in many skincare products such as facial moisturizers, skin cleansers, sunscreens, exfoliators, acne treatment ointments and in many popular hair care products such as shampoos, conditioners, hair sprays, hair dyes.
Ceteareth 20 is very effective in treating various dry skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
Ceteareth 20 is used in the treatment, control and prevention of the various skin conditions such as diaper rashes.
Ceteareth 20 is effectively used in the treatment of skin burns from radiation therapy.
These are some of the best uses of Ceteareth 20.
Ceteareth 20 acts as an excellent emulsifier, surfactant and exhibits emollient properties.
Ceteareth-20 is a non-ionic polyoxyethylene ether of higher saturated fatty alcohols (cetyl/stearyl alcohol).
HLB value 15-17 (gives oil-in-water emulsions).
Universal emulsifier to make o/w emulsions, compatible with all kinds of oils & active ingredients.
Very effective protective colloid that stabilizes all kinds of dispersed systems.
Can be combined with other emulsifiers. Optimal use with gel-forming thickeners.
Its functions (INCI)
Cleansing : Helps to keep a clean surface
Emulsifying : Promotes the formation of intimate mixtures between immiscible liquids by modifying the interfacial tension (water and oil)
Surfactant : Reduces the surface tension of cosmetics and contributes to the even distribution of the product when it is used
What is Ceteareth-20?
Fatty alcohol that is used to thicken cosmetics and keep ingredients mixed together and stable.
What are other names for Ceteareth-20?
CETEARETH-20, PEG-20 CETOSTEARYL ALCOHOL, PEG-20 CETYL/STEARYL ETHER, POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL 1000 CETYL/STEARYL ETHER, and POLYOXYETHYLENE (20) CETYL/STEARYL ETHER
What is Ceteareth-20 used for?
Ceteareth-20 is the polyethylene glycol ether of Cetearyl alcohol.
Ceteareth 20 acts as an emollient and emulsifier found in many skin care formulations.
It’s usually formulated in combination with other alcohols and fatty acids to thicken a solution and help other ingredients dissolve in a solvent.
Ceteareth-20 is a nonionic stabilizer in oil in water (O/W) emulsions.
Ceteareth-20 is one of the most common emollients used in cosmetics, and you can find it in products such as hair dye, facial moisturizer, anti-aging treatment, conditioner, cleanser, sunscreen, exfoliant/scrub, depilatory cream, and acne treatment.
Ceteareth-20 has been rated a low hazard ingredient in skincare products and is safe to use on our skin.
Because it is produced from PEG, there are sometimes contamination concerns about its use.
About Ceteareth 20
Helpful information
Ceteareth 20 is registered under the REACH Regulation and is manufactured in and / or imported to the European Economic Area, at ≥ 100 to < 1 000 tonnes per annum.
Ceteareth 20 is used by consumers, in articles, by professional workers (widespread uses), in formulation or re-packing, at industrial sites and in manufacturing.
Consumer Uses
Ceteareth 20 is used in the following products: washing & cleaning products, fillers, putties, plasters, modelling clay, lubricants and greases, air care products, plant protection products and polishes and waxes.
Other release to the environment of Ceteareth 20 is likely to occur from: indoor use (e.g. machine wash liquids/detergents, automotive care products, paints and coating or adhesives, fragrances and air fresheners) and outdoor use.
Article service life
Other release to the environment of Ceteareth 20 is likely to occur from: outdoor use in long-life materials with low release rate (e.g. metal, wooden and plastic construction and building materials), indoor use in long-life materials with low release rate (e.g. flooring, furniture, toys, construction materials, curtains, foot-wear, leather products, paper and cardboard products, electronic equipment), outdoor use in long-life materials with high release rate (e.g. tyres, treated wooden products, treated textile and fabric, brake pads in trucks or cars, sanding of buildings (bridges, facades) or vehicles (ships)) and indoor use in long-life materials with high release rate (e.g. release from fabrics, textiles during washing, removal of indoor paints).
Ceteareth 20 can be found in complex articles, with no release intended: vehicles.
Ceteareth 20 can be found in products with material based on: plastic (e.g. food packaging and storage, toys, mobile phones).
Ceteareth 20 is intended to be released from scented: clothes.
Widespread uses by professional workers
Ceteareth 20 is used in the following products: washing & cleaning products and polishes and waxes.
Ceteareth 20 is used in the following areas: building & construction work and agriculture, forestry and fishing.
Ceteareth 20 is used for the manufacture of: machinery and vehicles.
Other release to the environment of Ceteareth 20 is likely to occur from: indoor use (e.g. machine wash liquids/detergents, automotive care products, paints and coating or adhesives, fragrances and air fresheners) and outdoor use.
Formulation or re-packing
Ceteareth 20 is used in the following products: polymers, washing & cleaning products, lubricants and greases, textile treatment products and dyes and metal working fluids.
Release to the environment of Ceteareth 20 can occur from industrial use: formulation of mixtures, formulation in materials and in the production of articles.
Uses at industrial sites
Ceteareth 20 is used in the following products: washing & cleaning products, metal surface treatment products, textile treatment products and dyes, polymers, pH regulators and water treatment products, leather treatment products and lubricants and greases.
Ceteareth 20 is used for the manufacture of: machinery and vehicles, fabricated metal products, textile, leather or fur and food products.
Release to the environment of Ceteareth 20 can occur from industrial use: in processing aids at industrial sites and in the production of articles.
Manufacture
Release to the environment of Ceteareth 20 can occur from industrial use: manufacturing of the substance.
IUPAC NAMES:
Alcohols, C16-18 (even numbered), ethoxylated, < 2.5 EO
Alcohols, C16-18 (even numbered), ethoxylated, < 2.5 EO
(E)-18-ethoxyoctadec-3-ene
Alcohols C16-18, ethoxylated
Alcohols, C16-18 (even numbered), ethoxylated (1 - 2.5 moles EO)
Alcohols, C16-18 ethoxylated
Alcohols, C16-18, 2EO
ALCOHOLS, C16-18, ETHOXYLATED
Alcohols, C16-18, ethoxylated
Alcohols, C16-18, ethoxylated (CTS) (MAN)
Alcohols, C16-18, ethoxylated, 5-20 EO
Alkyl alcohol ethoxylate
alpha-(C16-C18 Alkyl) omega-Hydroxy Poly(EO)
C16-18 alcohols, ethoxylated
C16-18 alcohols, ethoxylated (6 mol EO average molar ratio)
C16-18 alcohols, ethoxylated(?)
C16~18 fatty alcohol polyoxyethylene ether
CSA 06, CSA 11, CSA 20, CSA 25, CSA 30, CSA 80
Ethoxtlated fatty alcohol
Fatty alcohol ethoxylate
Polyethylene cetostearyl ether
SYNONYMS:
Octadecanol, 1-
Octadecyl alcohol, Stearyl alcohol
1-Octadecanol,Octadecyl alcohol, Stearyl alcohol
Stearyl alcohol, synthesis grade
Stearyl alcohol, extra pure, Ph Eur, USP
Stearyl Alcohol (125 mg)
n-OCTADECYL ALCOHOL, TECH
Ecorol 18/98: Stearyl Alcohol Pastilles
1-Octadecanol, 95% 1KG
Octodecylalcohol
Philcohol 1800
Polaax
Rita SA
Sipol S
sipols
Siponol S
Siponol SC
siponols
siponolsc
Stearal
stearyl
Stearyl alcohol NF
Stearyl alcohol USP
Stenol
Steraffine
Usp XIII stearyl alcohol
uspxiiistearylalcohol
Varonic BG
Stearyl Alcohol Octadecyl Alcohol
1-Octadecanol 95%
Adol62
1-Octadecanol,95%
STEARYL ALCOHOL FOR SYNTHESIS
STEARYL ALCOHOL(OCTADECANOL)(SG)
C1899
1-Octadecanol ReagentPlus(R), 99%
1-Octadecanol Vetec(TM) reagent grade, 94%
STEARYL ALCOHOL PS
STEARYL ALCOHOL 99%
STEARYL ALCOHOL
STEARYLIC ALCOHOL
OCTADECYL ALCOHOL
OCTADECANOL
N-OCTADECYL ALCOHOL
1-OCTADECANOL
ALCOHOL C18
Octadecanol-[1], Stanol
ALKOHOL C 18 (OCTADECANOL) [Stearylalkohol]
1-Hydroxyoctadecane
Stearol
StearylAlcoholPure
1-Octadecanol,>99%
STEARYL ALCOHOL (1-OCTADECANOL )
stearylalcohol,octadecanol
STEARYL ALCOHOL GC STANDARD
C18 Alcohol
1-Octadecanol (Standard for GC,>99.5%)
Adol 62 NF
