Database/Emulsifying Surfactant/Deceth-6 Phosphate
Mostly petroleum · ISO 16128

Is Deceth-6 Phosphate natural?

Mostly not. Decyl alcohol is oleochemical and the phosphate is mineral-derived, but six ethylene-oxide units make up over half the mass.

INCI nameDeceth-6 Phosphate
CAS9004-80-2
FunctionEmulsifying Surfactant · Cleansing Surfactant
FeedstockMade from coconut/palm-kernel-derived decyl alcohol, ethoxylated with petrochemical…

How we scored it

PubChem data (C12H27O5P, 282 Da) matches only 1 EO, contradicting the 'Deceth-6' name; used 6 mol EO per name: decanol 158 Da (natural) + 6x44 Da EO 264 Da (petrochemical) + phosphate 80 Da (mineral) = 502 Da; 238/502=0.47.
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 from coconut/palm-kernel-derived decyl alcohol, ethoxylated with petrochemical ethylene oxide, then phosphated. No alternative route.

In plain English

A mild cleansing surfactant made from coconut-derived decyl alcohol, ethoxylated and finished with a phosphate group. Used in gentle cleansers to lift away oil.

CosIng definition: Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-phosphono-.omega.-(decyloxy)-

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. 2DECETH-6 PHOSPHATE. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  3. 3DECETH-6 PHOSPHATE. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=DECETH-6%20PHOSPHATE