An ethoxylated cetearyl alcohol, used as an emulsifying and cleansing surfactant.
What it is
Ceteareth-50 is the polyethylene glycol ether of cetearyl alcohol, a mixture of C16 and C18 fatty alcohols, with an average of 50 ethylene oxide units. CosIng lists it as a cleansing agent and an emulsifying and cleansing surfactant.
Where it is used
Found in creams, lotions, hair products and other emulsions.
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 50 is an average; the material is a mixture of molecules with different 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.