ISOCETETH-20

Isoceteth-20 is a nonionic surfactant and solubilizer produced by ethoxylation of isocetyl alcohol, and Isoceteth-20 is widely used to emulsify oils, solubilize fragrances, and improve wetting in personal care formulations.
Isoceteth-20 is commonly used in creams, lotions, cleansers, hair care, and fragrance-containing systems where stable oil-in-water emulsions and clear solubilization of lipophilic materials are required.
Isoceteth-20 is valued for strong solubilizing capacity, good compatibility with many ingredients, reliable emulsification performance, and improved sensory properties when compared with heavier emulsifier systems.

CAS Number: 9004-95-9 (commonly associated with ethoxylated alcohols; grade dependent)
EC Number: 500-014-1 (polymer / ethoxylated alcohol listing; supplier grade dependent)
Molecular Formula: Variable (ethoxylated fatty alcohol)
Molecular Weight: Variable (average; EO degree ~20; grade dependent)

Synonyms: Isoceteth-20, Isoceteth 20, Polyoxyethylene (20) Isocetyl Ether, PEG-20 Isocetyl Ether, Ethoxylated Isocetyl Alcohol (20 EO), Isocetyl Alcohol Ethoxylate 20, Isocetyl Polyethylene Glycol Ether, C16–C18 Branched Alcohol Ethoxylate 20EO, Nonionic Surfactant Isoceteth-20, Solubilizer Isoceteth-20, O/W Emulsifier Isoceteth-20, Isoceteth-20 Surfactant, Isoceteth-20, Isoceteth 20, ISOCETETH-20, ISOCETETH 20, Isoceteth-20 (INCI), Isoceteth-20 (Cosmetic Ingredient), Isoceteth-20 Surfactant, Isoceteth-20 Nonionic Surfactant, Isoceteth-20 Emulsifier, Isoceteth-20 Solubilizer, Isoceteth-20 Dispersant, Isoceteth-20 Wetting Agent, Isoceteth-20 Detergent, Isoceteth-20 Ethoxylate, Isoceteth 20 Ethoxylate, Isocetyl Alcohol Ethoxylate (20 EO), Isocetyl Alcohol Ethoxylate 20, Isocetyl Alcohol 20EO, Isocetyl Alcohol + 20 EO, Ethoxylated Isocetyl Alcohol (20), Ethoxylated Isocetyl Alcohol 20EO, Isocetyl Alcohol Ethoxylated (20), Polyoxyethylene (20) Isocetyl Ether, Polyoxyethylene Isocetyl Ether (20), Poly(oxyethylene) (20) Isocetyl Ether, Polyethylene Glycol Isocetyl Ether, PEG Isocetyl Ether, PEG-20 Isocetyl Ether, PEG-20 Isocetyl Alcohol Ether, PEG(20) Isocetyl Ether, PEG(20) Isocetyl Alcohol Ether, Isocetyl Polyoxyethylene Ether, Isocetyl Poly(oxyethylene) Ether, Isocetyl Alcohol Polyoxyethylene Ether, Isocetyl Alcohol Poly(oxyethylene) 20, Isocetyl EO20, Isocetyl EO-20, Isocetyl Ether EO20, Isocetyl Ether EO-20, Isocetyl Alcohol Ether EO20, Isocetyl Alcohol Ether EO-20, Isocetyl PEG-20 Ether, Isocetyl PEG20 Ether, Isocetyl PEG20, PEG-20 Isocetyl Alcohol, Isocetyl Alcohol PEG Ether (20), Isocetyl Alcohol Polyethylene Glycol Ether, Isocetyl Alcohol Ethoxylate (average 20 moles EO), Isocetyl alcohol, ethoxylated, Isocetyl alcohol ethoxylated 20, Iso-C16 alcohol ethoxylate 20EO (common description), Branched C16 alcohol ethoxylate 20EO (common description), C16 iso alcohol ethoxylate 20, Polyoxyethylene (20) isohexadecyl ether (common chemical description), Polyoxyethylene-20 isohexadecyl ether, Isohexadecyl alcohol ethoxylate 20, Isohexadecyl ethoxylate 20, Isohexadecyl PEG-20 ether, Isoceteth-20 Cosmetic Grade, Isoceteth-20 Personal Care Grade, Isoceteth-20 Technical Grade, Isoceteth-20 High Purity

APPLICATIONS

Isoceteth-20 is used in facial creams to emulsify oils and improve stability in oil-in-water systems.
Isoceteth-20 is incorporated into lotions to improve spreadability and reduce phase separation during storage.
Isoceteth-20 is used in moisturizers to solubilize emollients and improve texture uniformity.

Isoceteth-20 is used in sunscreen emulsions to help disperse oily UV filters and improve product consistency.
Isoceteth-20 is incorporated into SPF lotions to improve stability and reduce oil separation in challenging oil phases.
Isoceteth-20 is used in after-sun products to solubilize fragrance and lightweight oils in water-based systems.

Isoceteth-20 is used in facial cleansers to solubilize makeup residues and improve rinseability.
Isoceteth-20 is incorporated into micellar cleansing systems to improve removal of oily soils and fragrances.
Isoceteth-20 is used in cleansing creams to improve emollient dispersion and reduce residue.

Isoceteth-20 is used in body washes to solubilize fragrance oils and maintain product clarity or controlled opacity.
Isoceteth-20 is incorporated into shower gels to improve wetting and reduce fragrance separation over shelf life.
Isoceteth-20 is used in syndet and mild cleanser concepts to improve solubilization of lipophilic additives.

Isoceteth-20 is used in shampoos to solubilize fragrance, oils, and conditioning agents for consistent dosing.
Isoceteth-20 is incorporated into clear shampoo formulations to reduce haze from oily ingredients.
Isoceteth-20 is used in scalp care cleansers to help disperse actives and oils in aqueous surfactant systems.

Isoceteth-20 is used in hair conditioners as a co-emulsifier to support stable conditioning emulsions.
Isoceteth-20 is incorporated into hair masks to improve creaminess and reduce oil separation.
Isoceteth-20 is used in leave-on hair products to emulsify lightweight oils and reduce greasy feel.

Isoceteth-20 is used in fragrance solubilization systems to produce clear aqueous mists and sprays.
Isoceteth-20 is incorporated into body sprays to solubilize perfume oils and reduce cloudiness.
Isoceteth-20 is used in room and linen sprays where stable dispersion of fragrance oils is required in compatible formulations.

Isoceteth-20 is used in makeup products such as liquid foundations to help emulsify oils and improve pigment wetting.
Isoceteth-20 is incorporated into primers to improve slip and reduce tack from film-forming polymers.
Isoceteth-20 is used in BB and CC creams to support stable emulsions with multiple functional additives.

Isoceteth-20 is used in deodorant creams and roll-ons to solubilize fragrance and improve uniform texture.
Isoceteth-20 is incorporated into antiperspirant emulsions to improve stability and reduce oil bleeding.
Isoceteth-20 is used in post-shave products to solubilize fragrance and improve sensory feel.

Isoceteth-20 is used in industrial and household formulations as a nonionic emulsifier for oils and greasy soils in compatible systems.
Isoceteth-20 is incorporated into hard-surface cleaners to improve wetting and solubilization of hydrophobic residues.
Isoceteth-20 is used in degreasers to support stable emulsions and improved cleaning performance.

Isoceteth-20 is used in emulsion concentrates to improve robustness during dilution and mixing.
Isoceteth-20 is incorporated into multi-phase systems to improve stability across temperature and shear conditions.
Isoceteth-20 is valued because Isoceteth-20 provides reliable solubilization and emulsification performance across diverse formulations.

DESCRIPTION

Isoceteth-20 is typically supplied as a waxy solid, paste, or viscous liquid depending on ethoxylation distribution and supplier grade.
Isoceteth-20 is a polyoxyethylene ether of branched isocetyl alcohol, and the EO level around 20 provides strong hydrophilic character for oil-in-water systems.
Isoceteth-20 functions as a nonionic surfactant by reducing interfacial tension and forming micelles that solubilize lipophilic materials in aqueous systems.

Isoceteth-20 can stabilize emulsions by forming a protective interfacial layer, helping prevent coalescence and separation during storage.
Isoceteth-20 performance depends on oil type, electrolyte content, temperature, and the presence of co-emulsifiers and thickeners.
Isoceteth-20 is often used with fatty alcohols, glyceryl esters, and other ethoxylated surfactants to improve texture and stability.

Isoceteth-20 should be stored in tightly closed containers to prevent moisture pickup and to maintain consistent performance.
Isoceteth-20 can show cloud point behavior typical of ethoxylated nonionics, so temperature cycling tests are recommended.
Isoceteth-20 is widely used in rinse-off and leave-on products when appropriate safety and regulatory requirements are met.

PROPERTIES

Chemical Type: Ethoxylated branched fatty alcohol (nonionic surfactant)
Common Name: Isoceteth-20
Appearance: Waxy solid, paste, or viscous liquid (grade dependent)
Odor: Mild characteristic odor
Solubility: Dispersible to soluble in water (temperature and grade dependent); soluble in many compatible solvents and oils
HLB Value: High HLB typical of ~20 EO nonionic surfactants (approximate; grade dependent)
Melting Point: Typically ~30–55°C (grade dependent)
Cloud Point: Grade dependent; influenced by concentration and formulation composition
Viscosity: Grade dependent; solutions show concentration- and temperature-dependent viscosity
Surface Activity: Strong solubilization and emulsification in O/W systems
Stability: Stable under normal storage; avoid strong oxidizers and extreme heat
Storage Temperature: 15–30°C, tightly closed, protected from moisture
Shelf Life: Typically 24 months in original sealed packaging (supplier dependent)

FIRST AID

Inhalation:
Move to fresh air if mists or heated vapors are inhaled.
Seek medical attention if respiratory irritation persists.
Avoid breathing aerosols during spraying or high-shear mixing.

Skin Contact:
Wash with soap and water after contact.
Remove contaminated clothing and wash before reuse.
Seek medical advice if irritation develops or persists.

Eye Contact:
Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes.
Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do, then continue rinsing.
Seek medical attention if irritation persists.

Ingestion:
Rinse mouth with water.
Do not induce vomiting unless directed by medical personnel.
Seek medical attention if a large amount is swallowed or discomfort occurs.

Note to Physicians:
Treat symptomatically.
No specific antidote is required.
Provide supportive care based on exposure route and symptoms.

HANDLING AND STORAGE

Handling:
Use appropriate PPE including gloves and safety glasses.
Avoid generating aerosols or mists during transfer, mixing, or spraying.
Wash hands after handling and before eating, drinking, or smoking.

Ventilation:
Use local exhaust or general ventilation where mists may be generated.
Provide adequate ventilation during heated processing to reduce vapor and aerosol exposure.
Use closed transfer systems when feasible in high-throughput operations.

Storage:
Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, dry place.
Protect from moisture pickup and contamination to maintain consistent performance.
Keep away from strong oxidizers and incompatible reactive chemicals.

Spill and Leak Procedures:
Contain the spill and absorb with inert material such as sand or universal absorbent.
Clean the area with detergent and water while preventing slip hazards because surfactants can make floors slippery.
Dispose of waste according to local regulations and facility procedures.

Handling Precautions:
Maintain good housekeeping because spills can create slip hazards.
Use clean, dedicated equipment to prevent cross-contamination in formulated products.
Rotate stock using FIFO practices to maintain consistent quality and formulation performance.