Ceteareth Explained

The INCI names ceteareth-n (where n is a number) refer to polyoxyethylene ethers of a mixture of high molecular mass saturated fatty alcohols, mainly cetyl alcohol (m = 15) and stearyl alcohol (m = 17). The number n indicates the average number of ethylene oxide residues in the polyoxyethylene chain.

These compounds are non-ionic surfactants that work by attracting both water and oil at the same time, frequently used as emulsifiers in soaps and cosmetics.^[1]

List of ceteareth compounds

• Ceteareth-2
• Ceteareth-3
• Ceteareth-4
• Ceteareth-5
• Ceteareth-6
• Ceteareth-7
• Ceteareth-8
• Ceteareth-9
• Ceteareth-10
• Ceteareth-11
• Ceteareth-12
• Ceteareth-13
• Ceteareth-15
• Ceteareth-16
• Ceteareth-17
• Ceteareth-18
• Ceteareth-20 (CAS # 68439-49-6)
• Ceteareth-22
• Ceteareth-23
• Ceteareth-25
• Ceteareth-27
• Ceteareth-28
• Ceteareth-29
• Ceteareth-30
• Ceteareth-33
• Ceteareth-34
• Ceteareth-40
• Ceteareth-50
• Ceteareth-55
• Ceteareth-60
• Ceteareth-80
• Ceteareth-100

Notes and References

1. Web site: Emulsifying Wax: What is it and how does it work? . Teach Soap.com . Web . 2007-12-02 .