AKA “Ceteareth 5, Cetyl and stearyl alcohol ethoxylate”
Synthetic
Ingredient Facts
Ceteareth-5
AKA: Ceteareth 5, Cetyl and stearyl alcohol ethoxylate
Synthetic · Cleansing · EWG: 4
Plant-Derived Synthetic
Cleanser
Emulsifier
Plant Oil
Synthetic
Clean
A gentle plant-derived cleanser that helps remove impurities while keeping moisture balanced in the formula. It also helps blend oil and water-based ingredients together.
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.
Cleansing Surfactant
Emulsifier
Removes Impurities
Mixes Oil & Water
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.