2-(2-Ethoxyethoxy)ethanol, also known under many trade names, is the organic compound with the formula . It is a colorless liquid. It is a popular solvent for commercial applications. It is produced by the ethoxylation of ethanol .
It is a solvent for dyes, nitrocellulose, paints, inks, and resins. It is a component of wood stains for wood, for setting the twist and conditioning yarns and cloth, in textile printing, textile soaps, lacquers, penetration enhancer in cosmetics, drying varnishes and enamels, and brake fluids.[1] [2] It is used to determine the saponification values of oils and as a neutral solvent for mineral oil-soap and mineral oil-sulfated oil mixtures (giving fine dispersions in water).
It is also widely used as a solvent in a number of cosmetics and personal care products, including face cream, deodorant, makeup, hair dye, and sunless tanner.[3]