Beheneth-15
AKA “Beheneth-3, PEG-3 behenyl ether, Triethylene glycol behenyl ether, UNII-2BZX9UMB09, Ethanol, UNII-BJ4GP2IFLN, RefChem:199723, UNII-4G5S7DU1XT”
Synthetic
Ingredient Facts
Beheneth-15
AKA: Beheneth-3, PEG-3 behenyl ether, Triethylene glycol behenyl ether, UNII-2BZX9UMB09, Ethanol, UNII-BJ4GP2IFLN, RefChem:199723, UNII-4G5S7DU1XT
Synthetic · Cleansing · EWG: 4
Synthetic
Cleanser
Emulsifier
Synthetic
Clean
A gentle cleanser and emulsifier that helps remove impurities while keeping the formula smooth and blended.
Effective at 2.5%
Formula
C28H58O4
Mol. Weight
458.80
CAS #
26636-40-8
See origin →
Functions
Cleansing
Makes oil and water mix so dirt, makeup, and sunscreen can actually be washed away. The reason your face wash foams.
Emulsifying
Forces oil and water to stay mixed instead of separating into layers. The unsung hero holding your lotion together.
Cleansing Surfactant
Emulsifier
Removes Impurities
Mixes Oil & Water
Traditional Use
A synthetic ethoxylated fatty alcohol developed in the mid-20th century. Designed to function as an emulsifier and solubilizer in cosmetic creams and lotions.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Melanin-Rich Skin
Suitable
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
4
CIR
Safe w/Qualifications
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Concentration Guide
0.0008%
5.0%
0%7%
Effective Range
CIR reported use: 0.0008-5 | 0.003-0.6 | 0.03-3 | 0.02-0.3 | 0.5-5
Regulatory Agencies
Final Amended Report on the Safety Assessment of 2,4-Diaminophenoxyethanol HCl and 2,4-Diaminophenoxyethanol Sulfate
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Amended Report on the Safety Assessment of Ammonium Thioglycolate, Butyl Thioglycolate, Calcium Thioglycolate, Ethanolamine Thioglycolate, Ethyl Thioglycolate, Glyceryl Thioglycolate, Isooctyl T
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of 2,4-Diaminophenoxyethanol Dihydrochloride
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of 3-Methylamino-4-Nitrophenoxyethanol as Used in Hair Dyes
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Butoxyethanol
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Ethoxyethanol and Ethoxyethanol Acetate
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Phenoxyethanol
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Potassium-Coco-Hydrolyzed Animal Protein and Triethanolamine-Coco-Hydrolyzed Animal Protein
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Triethanolamine, Diethanolamine, and Monoethanolamine
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report: Amended Safety Assessment of 2,4-Diaminophenoxyethanol HCl and 2,4-Diaminophenoxyethanol Sulfate as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Safety Assessment of Diethanolamides as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Safety Assessment of Diethanolamine and Its Salts as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Safety Assessment of Ethanolamides as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Safety Assessment of Ethanolamine and Ethanolamine Salts as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Safety Assessment of Triethanolamine and Triethanolamine-Containing Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Tentative Report: Amended Safety Assessment of Butoxyethanol as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Phenoxyethanol Safety Assessment
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology, 2019
Safety review of phenoxyethanol when used as a preservati...
B Dréno, T Zuberbier, C Gelmetti, G Gontijo, M Marinovich
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV, 2019
2,4-Diaminophenoxyethanol HCl
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
2,4-Diaminophenoxyethanol Sulfate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Safety Assessment of Diethanolamine and Its Salts as Used...
Monice M Fiume, Bart Heldreth, Wilma F Bergfeld, Donald V Belsito, Ronald A Hill, Curtis D Klaassen + 6 more
International journal of toxicology, 2017
Safety Assessment of Diethanolamine and Its Salts as Used...
Monice M Fiume, Bart Heldreth, Wilma F Bergfeld, Donald V Belsito, Ronald A Hill, Curtis D Klaassen + 6 more
International journal of toxicology, 2017
Safety Assessment of Diethanolamine and Its Salts as Used...
Monice M Fiume, Bart Heldreth, Wilma F Bergfeld, Donald V Belsito, Ronald A Hill, Curtis D Klaassen + 6 more
International journal of toxicology, 2017
Verified Feb 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR