An ethoxylated octylphenol used as an emulsifier.
What it is
Octoxynol-12 is the polyethylene glycol ether of octylphenol (4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenol) with an average of 12 ethylene oxide units, a member of the alkylphenol ethoxylate group. CosIng lists it as an emulsifying surfactant.
Where it is used
Found in a small number of products, such as cleansers and hair care 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 12 is an average; the material is a mixture of molecules with different 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.
EU regulation
This ingredient is not listed in the annexes of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 in the CosIng data.