STEARETH 20

Steareth 20 is a nonionic surfactant and emulsifier produced by ethoxylation of stearyl alcohol, providing strong oil-in-water emulsification, solubilization, and wetting performance in personal care and industrial formulations.
Steareth 20 is widely used in creams, lotions, cleansers, and hair care products to stabilize emulsions, improve texture, and support consistent product performance across a wide range of oils and actives.
Steareth 20 is valued for reliable emulsifying power, good compatibility with many ingredients, efficient solubilization of oily materials, and predictable performance in a broad pH range.

CAS Number: 9005-00-9 (commonly associated with Steareth surfactant series; grade dependent)
EC Number: 500-017-8 (polymer / ethoxylated alcohol listing; supplier grade dependent)
Molecular Formula: Variable (ethoxylated fatty alcohol)
Molecular Weight: Variable (average; EO degree ~20; grade dependent)

Synonyms: Steareth 20, Steareth-20, Polyoxyethylene (20) Stearyl Ether, PEG-20 Stearyl Ether, Ethoxylated Stearyl Alcohol (20 EO), Stearyl Alcohol Ethoxylate 20, Stearyl Polyethylene Glycol Ether, C18 Alcohol Ethoxylate 20EO, Nonionic Emulsifier Steareth-20, O/W Emulsifier Steareth 20, Steareth 20 Surfactant, PEG Stearyl Ether 20EO, Steareth 20, Steareth-20, STEARETH 20, STEARETH-20, Stearyl Alcohol Ethoxylate (20 EO), Stearyl Alcohol Ethoxylate 20, Stearyl Alcohol 20EO, Stearyl Alcohol + 20 EO, Polyoxyethylene (20) Stearyl Ether, Polyoxyethylene Stearyl Ether (20), Poly(oxyethylene) (20) Stearyl Ether, Polyethylene Glycol Stearyl Ether, PEG Stearyl Ether, PEG-20 Stearyl Ether, PEG-20 Stearyl Alcohol Ether, PEG-20 Stearyl Alcohol, PEG(20) Stearyl Ether, PEG(20) Stearyl Alcohol Ether, Stearyl Polyoxyethylene Ether, Stearyl Poly(oxyethylene) Ether, Stearyl Alcohol Polyoxyethylene Ether, Stearyl Alcohol Poly(oxyethylene) 20, Stearyl Alcohol Ethoxylated 20, Ethoxylated Stearyl Alcohol (20), Ethoxylated Stearyl Alcohol 20EO, Ethoxylated Octadecyl Alcohol 20EO, Octadecyl Alcohol Ethoxylate (20 EO), C18 Alcohol Ethoxylate 20EO, C18 Ethoxylated Alcohol 20EO, Polyoxyethylene Stearyl Alcohol, Polyoxyethylene-20 Stearyl Alcohol, Polyoxyethylene (20) Octadecyl Ether, Polyoxyethylene (20) Octadecyl Alcohol Ether, Stearyl EO20, Stearyl EO-20, Stearyl Ether EO20, Stearyl Ether EO-20, Stearyl Alcohol Ether EO20, Stearyl Alcohol Ether EO-20, Stearyl PEG-20 Ether, Stearyl PEG20 Ether, Stearyl PEG20 Alcohol Ether, Stearyl PEG20, Stearyl PEG-20, Steareth 20 (Nonionic Surfactant), Steareth-20 (Nonionic Surfactant), Steareth 20 Emulsifier, Steareth 20 Solubilizer, Steareth 20 Surfactant, Steareth 20 Wetting Agent, Steareth 20 Detergent, Steareth 20 Dispersant, Steareth 20 Cosmetic Grade, Steareth 20 Personal Care Grade, Steareth 20 NF, Steareth 20 Ph. Eur., Steareth 20 USP/NF, Steareth 20 BP, Steareth 20 EP, Steareth 20 FCC, Steareth 20 Technical Grade, Steareth 20 High Purity, Steareth 20 Flakes, Steareth 20 Pastilles, Steareth 20 Powder, Steareth 20 Granules, Polyoxyethylene (20) Stearyl Alcohol Ether, Polyoxyethylene (20) Stearyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol Polyethylene Glycol Ether, Stearyl Alcohol PEG Ether (20), Stearyl Alcohol Ethoxylate (average 20 moles EO)

APPLICATIONS

Steareth 20 is used in oil-in-water creams to stabilize emulsions and improve long-term consistency.
Steareth 20 is incorporated into lotions to improve emulsification of oils and reduce separation during storage.
Steareth 20 is used in moisturizers to improve texture, spreadability, and sensory feel.

Steareth 20 is used in facial creams to solubilize emollients and support uniform application.
Steareth 20 is incorporated into body lotions to maintain stable viscosity and reduce oil bleed.
Steareth 20 is used in hand creams to improve stability and provide a smooth, non-grainy texture.

Steareth 20 is used in sunscreens to emulsify UV filters and stabilize oil phases in water-based systems.
Steareth 20 is incorporated into SPF lotions to improve uniform distribution of oil-soluble filters.
Steareth 20 is used in after-sun lotions to emulsify soothing oils and maintain stable product appearance.

Steareth 20 is used in cleansing creams and facial washes to improve solubilization of oils and makeup residues.
Steareth 20 is incorporated into micellar and rinse-off cleansers to improve oily soil removal performance.
Steareth 20 is used in shower creams to improve foam feel and provide a creamy, conditioned skin feel.

Steareth 20 is used in shampoo formulations to solubilize fragrance oils and lipophilic conditioning ingredients.
Steareth 20 is incorporated into conditioning shampoos to improve clarity and reduce cloudiness from oily additives.
Steareth 20 is used in scalp care cleansers where controlled solubilization supports consistent dosing of actives.

Steareth 20 is used in hair conditioners as a co-emulsifier to stabilize cationic emulsions and improve creaminess.
Steareth 20 is incorporated into rinse-off conditioners to improve texture and reduce phase separation.
Steareth 20 is used in hair masks to improve stability and enhance rich sensory properties.

Steareth 20 is used in leave-on hair creams to emulsify oils and improve spreadability without heavy residue.
Steareth 20 is incorporated into styling creams to improve stability and reduce oil separation.
Steareth 20 is used in anti-frizz serums and emulsions to maintain uniform texture across temperature changes.

Steareth 20 is used in makeup foundations to emulsify pigments and oils for smooth application.
Steareth 20 is incorporated into primers to improve slip and stabilize oil-in-water structures.
Steareth 20 is used in BB and CC creams to support stable emulsions with multiple functional additives.

Steareth 20 is used in makeup removers to solubilize oils and improve rinseability.
Steareth 20 is incorporated into cleansing oils that emulsify upon rinsing to improve wash-off.
Steareth 20 is used in wipes and cleansing solutions to help disperse oily soils and fragrances.

Steareth 20 is used in pharmaceutical topical creams as an emulsifier and solubilizer for oily excipients.
Steareth 20 is incorporated into dermatological lotions to improve stability and uniformity of dispersed actives.
Steareth 20 is used in ointment-to-cream conversion systems to improve washability and patient feel.

Steareth 20 is used in household and industrial formulations as a nonionic emulsifier for oily soils and additives.
Steareth 20 is incorporated into hard-surface cleaners to improve wetting and solubilization of greasy residues.
Steareth 20 is used in water-based degreasers where nonionic emulsification supports effective cleaning.

Steareth 20 is used in fragrance and essential oil solubilization systems to produce clear or stable dispersions.
Steareth 20 is incorporated into bath products to disperse oils and prevent floating oil layers.
Steareth 20 is used in specialty formulations where stable incorporation of lipophilic ingredients is required.

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

DESCRIPTION

Steareth 20 is typically supplied as a waxy solid or semi-solid with a mild characteristic odor.
Steareth 20 is a polyoxyethylene stearyl ether with an average ethoxylation degree around 20, which gives Steareth 20 strong hydrophilic character.
Steareth 20 functions primarily as a nonionic emulsifier and solubilizer, helping oils disperse uniformly in aqueous systems.

Steareth 20 can build and stabilize oil-in-water emulsions by reducing interfacial tension and forming a protective interfacial film.
Steareth 20 performance depends on oil type, co-emulsifiers, electrolytes, temperature, and processing conditions such as shear and cooling profile.
Steareth 20 is often used with fatty alcohols, glyceryl esters, or other nonionic emulsifiers to create robust lamellar structures and improved sensory.

Steareth 20 should be handled to avoid contamination and stored properly to maintain consistent melting and performance behavior.
Steareth 20 can become hazy or show phase changes if formulation balance is not optimized, so stability testing is important.
Steareth 20 is widely used in rinse-off and leave-on products when appropriate regulatory and safety requirements are met.

PROPERTIES

Chemical Type: Ethoxylated fatty alcohol (nonionic surfactant)
Common Name: Steareth 20 (Steareth-20)
Appearance: Waxy solid or semi-solid (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 stearyl ether (approximate; grade dependent)
Melting Point: Typically ~35–55°C (grade and EO distribution dependent)
Cloud Point: Grade dependent; influenced by concentration and formulation composition
Viscosity: Grade dependent; solutions show concentration- and temperature-dependent viscosity
Surface Activity: Strong emulsification and solubilization for 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 a cool, dry place in tightly closed containers.
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 residue with water and detergent while preventing slip hazards, as 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 performance.