Oleth-20
AKA “PEG-20 oleyl ether, polyoxyethylene oleyl ether, UNKNOWN”
Synthetic
Ingredient Facts
Oleth-20
AKA: PEG-20 oleyl ether, Polyoxyethylene oleyl ether, UNKNOWN
Synthetic · Cleansing · EWG: 4
Synthetic
Cleanser
Plant Oil
Synthetic
Clean
A gentle cleansing agent that helps remove dirt and oil from skin while maintaining moisture balance. Derived from natural oils.
Effective at 9.03%
CAS #
9004-98-2
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.
Cleansing
Makes oil and water mix so dirt, makeup, and sunscreen can actually be washed away. The reason your face wash foams.
Removes Impurities
Cleansing Surfactant
Antioxidant Protection
Traditional Use
Synthetic surfactant and emulsifier developed in the mid-20th century by ethoxylating oleyl alcohol. These polyethylene glycol derivatives were created to provide stable emulsification and solubilization properties in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
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
0.06%
18.0%
0%25%
Effective Range
CIR reported use: 0.1-18 | 0.3-10 | 1-4 | 0.06-10
Regulatory Agencies
Verified Feb 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR