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CETEARETH-50

Last update on Feb 6, 2025
Ceteareth-50 is a powerful surfactant widely used in the cosmetic industry. It helps products spread effortlessly on the skin, ensuring uniform coverage. It enables the creation of oil-in-water formulations. It also acts as a gentle cleanser for the skin and a texture enhancer for products. Ceteareth-50 is a reliable ingredient with a long history in the beauty industry. It is considered safe when used at the appropriate concentrations. In its raw form, Ceteareth-50 is identified by its white solid/waxy appearance. This non-ionic ingredient is found in a variety of products such as lotions, creams, shampoos, conditioners, and cleansers.
CAS Number: 68439-49-6Chem/IUPAC Name: C16-18 alcohols, ethoxylated (50 mol EO average molar ratio)EINECS/ELINCS No: 500-212-8COSING REF No: 75122

Products with CETEARETH-50

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What is CETEARETH-50 used for?

Ceteareth-50 is a versatile ingredient that gives cosmetics a silky texture and enhances their performance. It is a surfactant that lowers the surface tension of products. This allows them to spread smoothly and evenly on the skin and hair. It readily mixes oil and water-based ingredients to form stable emulsions. It is commonly found in moisturizers, creams, sunscreens, and shampoos. This ingredient is ideal for giving products a lightweight feel. Known for foaming and cleansing, Ceteareth-50 combines dirt and oil with water, allowing them to be easily rinsed off. In hair care, it makes the strands soft and reduces frizz.

Origin

Ceteareth-50 is made by combining cetyl alcohol or stearyl alcohol with 50 units of ethylene oxide. This process is called ethoxylation. It creates a compound that is both water and oil soluble. Later, the ingredient undergoes purification for use in cosmetics.

What does CETEARETH-50 do in a formulation?

CLEANSING|
EMULSIFYING|
FOAM BOOSTING|
FOAMING|
SURFACTANT

Safety Profile

Ceteareth-50 is a safe and non-toxic ingredient for most skin types. However, it should be avoided on damaged or highly sensitive skin. It has a minimal risk of irritation, even at high concentrations. Patch testing is necessary prior to full application to test for individual sensitivities.

CETEARETH-50 technical profile

Property Values
Solubility Soluble in water and oil
Viscosity Moderate - high

Formulations with CETEARETH-50

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By Application

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