INCI name

POTASSIUM CETYL PHOSPHATE

Potassium cetyl phosphate

Surfactant – emulsifying Surfactant – cleansingreviewed

An emulsifier that also makes water-resistant films.

What it is

Potassium cetyl phosphate is the potassium salt of a cetyl alcohol phosphate ester. It is an emulsifier often used in sunscreens, where it helps form stable, water-resistant emulsions.

Where it is used

Found in sunscreens, creams and lotions.

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.

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.

Products with this ingredient (603)

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