An anionic surfactant used as a co-emulsifier in creams.
What it is
Sodium cetearyl sulfate is a sulfate surfactant made from cetyl and stearyl alcohols. In creams it is typically combined with cetearyl alcohol to form an emulsifying wax that stabilises the emulsion.
Where it is used
Found in creams, lotions and some cleansers.
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.
In leave-on creams it is used at low levels as part of the emulsifier system, not as a cleanser.
Functions
- Cleansing
- Helping to keep the body surface clean.
- Foaming
- Traping numerous small bubbles of air or other gas within a small volume of liquid by modifying the surface tension of the liquid.
- 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 (347)
- Biolis Naturale Burro Di Karte Shea Butter Hand Cream · Biolis Nature
- Weightless Serum · Lumene
- Rich Eye Cream · Lumene
- Weightless Moisturizer · Lumene
- Rich Day Cream · Lumene
- Rich Night Balm · Lumene
- Aftershave Barber Comfort Balm for Men · KORRES
- Black Pepper Body + Fragrance Duo ($95 Value) · KORRES
- Hand Nourishing Cream – Lotus Flower & Shea Butter · ArtDeco
- Hand Nourishing Cream – Dragonfruit · ArtDeco
- Hand Nourishing Cream – Orchid · ArtDeco
- Hand Nourishing Cream – Vanilla · ArtDeco