INCI name

STEARETH-21

Steareth-21

Cleansing Surfactant – emulsifying Surfactant – cleansingreviewed

A non-ionic emulsifier made from stearyl alcohol.

What it is

Steareth-21 is an ethoxylated stearyl alcohol with an average of 21 ethylene oxide units. It is usually paired with steareth-2 to form stable oil-in-water emulsions.

Where it is used

Found in creams, lotions 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.

Functions

Cleansing: Helping to keep the body surface clean.
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 (270)

Check a full ingredient list