An ethoxylated cetearyl alcohol used as an emulsifier.
What it is
Ceteareth-6 is the polyethylene glycol ether of cetearyl alcohol (a mixture of C16 and C18 fatty alcohols), with an average of six ethylene oxide units. CosIng lists it as an emulsifying and cleansing surfactant.
Where it is used
Found in creams, lotions and other emulsions, often together with stearyl or cetearyl alcohol.
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 6 is an average; the INCI name does not show the distribution of chain lengths.
Functions
- 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.