How we scored it
Where it comes from
Manufactured by ethoxylating cetearyl alcohol (a natural, typically oleochemical C16-18 fatty alcohol blend) with 12 mol of petrochemical ethylene oxide. Petrochemical-route fatty alcohol is a minor supplier alternative.
In plain English
An emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in creams. Made from plant/animal-derived fatty alcohols reacted with synthetic ethylene oxide to make them water-compatible.
CosIng definition: C16-18 alcohols, ethoxylated (12 mol EO average molar ratio)
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References
- 1ISO 16128-1:2016 and ISO 16128-2:2017 — Guidelines on technical definitions and criteria for natural and organic cosmetic ingredients and products. ISO, Geneva.
- 2CETEARETH-12. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
- 3CETEARETH-12. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=CETEARETH-12