Database/Emulsifying Surfactant/Ceteth-10
Mostly petroleum · ISO 16128

Is Ceteth-10 natural?

Mostly not. Cetyl alcohol is oleochemical and natural; the ten ethoxylate units are derived from petrochemical ethylene oxide.

INCI nameCeteth-10
CAS9004-95-9
FunctionEmulsifying Surfactant · Cleansing Surfactant
FeedstockCetyl alcohol for Ceteth-10 is typically oleochemical, from…

How we scored it

CosIng states 10 mol EO average; given formula/MW is identical to the Ceteth-20 entry and appears mismatched, so the description is trusted. Cetyl natural fragment C16H33O 241.4 Da / total ~682.9 Da = 0.35.
What counts. ISO 16128-2 scores the atoms that remain in the final ingredient. Reagents, solvents, catalysts and protecting groups used during manufacture leave no mass behind and are not counted.

Where it comes from

Cetyl alcohol for Ceteth-10 is typically oleochemical, from coconut or palm kernel oil. It is reacted with ten moles of petrochemical ethylene oxide.

In plain English

An emulsifying and cleansing ingredient made from a coconut/palm-derived fatty alcohol (cetyl alcohol) reacted with ethylene oxide. It helps blend oil and water in creams and cleansers.

CosIng definition: Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-hexadecyl-.omega.-hydroxy- (10 mol EO average molar ratio)

Natural alternatives with the same function

Arachidic Acid 100% natural origin

A waxy fatty acid from peanut and other vegetable oils, used to thicken formulas and give creams and…

 Arachidyl Glucoside 100% natural origin

A gentle, sugar-based emulsifier used in creams and lotions to stabilize formulas without harsh surfactants. It's made from…

 Behenic Acid 100% natural origin

A long-chain fatty acid from vegetable oil, used to thicken and stabilise creams and conditioners. It is extracted…

 C10-16 Alkyl Glucoside 100% natural origin

A mild, sugar-based cleansing and emulsifying surfactant made by combining plant-derived fatty alcohols (coconut/palm) with glucose from starch.…

 C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside 100% natural origin

A mild, sugar-based cleansing ingredient made from coconut or palm fatty alcohols and glucose; helps cleanse skin and…

 C18-36 Acid 100% natural origin

A blend of long-chain plant fatty acids used as a mild cleanser and thickener, giving body and a…

References

  1. 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.
  2. 2CETETH-10. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  3. 3CETETH-10. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=CETETH-10