Ceteareth-22
AKA “Ceteareth-22, PEG-22 Cetearyl Ether
Synthetic
Ingredient Facts
Ceteareth-22
AKA: PEG-22 Cetearyl Ether
Synthetic · Cleansing · EWG: 2
Plant-Derived Synthetic
Cleanser
Emulsifier
Plant Oil
Synthetic
Clean
A gentle cleanser derived from plant-based sources that helps remove dirt and oil while keeping the formula smooth and balanced.
Effective at 8.02%
CAS #
68439-49-6
Form
Liquid
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.
Viscosity Controlling
Cleansing Surfactant
Emulsifier
Controls Viscosity
Lifts away dirt and oil
Mixes oil and water
Controls product thickness
Traditional Use
Developed in the mid-20th century as a synthetic ethoxylated emulsifier derived from cetearyl alcohol. Created to stabilize oil-water mixtures in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, with no traditional use history.
Skin Types
all-skin-types, gentle
Best For
General
Melanin-Rich Skin
Suitable
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
2
CIR
Safe
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
ewg-2
medical-approval
pregnancy-nursing-safe
all-shades-safe
Concentration Guide
0.03%
16.0%
0%22%
Effective Range
CIR reported use: 0.03-16 | 0.09-0.3
Regulatory Status
USApermitted
EUrestricted
JAPANrestricted
CANADArestricted
Verified Feb 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR