Coceth-3 has a Natural Origin Index (NOI) of 0.60 (scale 0–1) per ISO 16128. Coco fatty alcohol chain is oleochemical; the three ethylene-oxide units added to form the ether are petrochemical. An NOI of 0.60 means 60% of its molecular mass is traceable to a natural, renewable source.

Is Coceth-3 natural? NOI 0.60

How we scored it

Coco alcohol (natural, ~200 Da oleochemical blend) + 3xC2H4O (EO, 44 Da ea, petrochemical) = 332 Da; 200/332=0.60.

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

Made by ethoxylating coconut/palm-kernel-derived fatty alcohol with petrochemical ethylene oxide. No commercially significant alternative route exists.

In plain English

A mild cleansing and emulsifying ingredient made by reacting coconut-derived fatty alcohol with ethylene oxide. Used in shampoos and cleansers to help water and oil mix and help the product foam and rinse cleanly.

CosIng definition: Alcohols, coco, ethoxylated (3 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

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