An ethoxylated fatty alcohol used as an emulsifier and cleansing surfactant.
What it is
C12-13 Pareth-23 is the polyethylene glycol ether of a mixture of synthetic fatty alcohols with 12 and 13 carbon atoms, with an average of 23 ethylene oxide units. CosIng lists it as a cleansing agent and emulsifying and cleansing surfactant.
Where it is used
Found in cleansers, shampoos, creams and other products.
Limits of interpretation
The INCI list shows which ingredients are present, not how much of each. Above 1%, ingredients are listed in descending order of weight; below 1% the order is free.
The number 23 is an average; the INCI name does not show the distribution of chain lengths.
Functions
- Cleansing
- Helping to keep the body surface clean.
- Surfactant – emulsifying
- Helping suspensions or dispersions of liquids in a second liquid by reducing the surface tension of the substances to be emulsified.
- Surfactant – cleansing
- Wetting body surfaces, emulsifying or solubilizing oils, and suspending soil (generally, such ingredients contribute to the foaming and lathering properties of cleansing products).
EU regulation
This ingredient is not listed in the annexes of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 in the CosIng data.