An amphoteric betaine surfactant used for cleansing and conditioning.
What it is
Cetyl betaine is a zwitterionic surfactant, (carboxylatomethyl)hexadecyldimethylammonium, with a C16 alkyl chain. CosIng lists it with several functions, including antistatic, cleansing, foam boosting, hair conditioning, skin conditioning and viscosity controlling.
Where it is used
Found in shampoos, shower gels, cleansers and hair conditioners.
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 INCI name does not reveal the source of the cetyl chain.
Functions
- Antistatic
- Preventing and/or reducing static electricity by neutralising electrical charge on surfaces.
- Cleansing
- Helping to keep the body surface clean.
- Surfactant – foam boosting
- Increasing foaming capacity and/or stabilize foams in general.
- Hair conditioning
- Enhancing the appearance and feel of hair. Leaving the hair easy to comb, supple, soft and shiny and/or imparting volume, lightness, gloss, texture, etc.
- Skin conditioning
- Maintaining the skin in good condition.
- 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).
- Viscosity controlling
- Increasing or decreasing the viscosity (thickness) of cosmetics.
EU regulation
This ingredient is not listed in the annexes of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 in the CosIng data.