How we scored it
Where it comes from
The docosanol backbone typically comes from behenic acid in vegetable oils (e.g. rapeseed). It is ethoxylated with petrochemical ethylene oxide to give the surfactant.
In plain English
A fatty alcohol from behenic acid (found in vegetable fats) reacted with ethylene oxide, a petrochemical. Used as an emulsifier and cleansing agent that helps water and oil mix in creams, lotions and cleansers.
CosIng definition: Docosanol, ethoxylated, 10 mol EO (average molar ratio)
Natural alternatives with the same function
A waxy fatty acid from peanut and other vegetable oils, used to thicken formulas and give creams and…
Arachidyl Glucoside 100% natural originA gentle, sugar-based emulsifier used in creams and lotions to stabilize formulas without harsh surfactants. It's made from…
Behenic Acid 100% natural originA long-chain fatty acid from vegetable oil, used to thicken and stabilise creams and conditioners. It is extracted…
C10-16 Alkyl Glucoside 100% natural originA 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 originA mild, sugar-based cleansing ingredient made from coconut or palm fatty alcohols and glucose; helps cleanse skin and…
C18-36 Acid 100% natural originA blend of long-chain plant fatty acids used as a mild cleanser and thickener, giving body and a…
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.
- 2BEHENETH-10. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
- 3BEHENETH-10. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=BEHENETH-10