Oleth-100
AKA “PEG-100 oleyl ether, polyoxyethylene oleyl ether, UNKNOWN
Synthetic
Ingredient Facts
Oleth-100
AKA: PEG-100 oleyl ether, Polyoxyethylene oleyl ether, UNKNOWN
Synthetic · Emollient · EWG: 4
Synthetic
Emollient
Cleanser
Skin Conditioner
Synthetic
Not Clean
A gentle cleanser that helps remove oil and impurities from skin and hair while maintaining moisture balance.
Effective at 9.03%
CAS #
-
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.
Emollient
Fills in the tiny cracks between skin cells to make everything feel smooth and soft. The "silky finish" ingredient.
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Cleansing Surfactant
Removes Impurities
Traditional Use
A synthetic polyethylene glycol ether derived from oleyl alcohol with a higher ethoxylation level than Oleth-10, developed as a solubilizer and emulsifier for cosmetic formulations requiring enhanced stability.
Skin Types
all-skin-types
Best For
General
Melanin-Rich Skin
Suitable
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
4
CIR
Safe
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Concentration Guide
0.06%
18.0%
0%25%
Effective Range
CIR reported use: 0.1-18 | 0.3-10 | 1-4 | 0.06-10
Regulatory Status
USApermitted
EUrestricted
JAPANrestricted
CANADArestricted
Verified Feb 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR