Deceth-7 has a Natural Origin Index (NOI) of 0.34 (scale 0–1) per ISO 16128. Decyl fatty alcohol is oleochemical; the 7-mole ethoxylate chain is built from petrochemical ethylene oxide. An NOI of 0.34 means 34% of its molecular mass is traceable to a natural, renewable source.

Is Deceth-7 natural? NOI 0.34

How we scored it

Decyl alcohol 158.3 (natural) + 7 EO x44.1=308.4 (petrochemical) = 466.6 total; 158.3/466.6 → 0.34

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

Coconut/palm-kernel-derived decyl alcohol is reacted with about 7 moles of petrochemical ethylene oxide to build the ether chain. No natural-EO alternative exists commercially.

In plain English

A mild cleansing and emulsifying ingredient made from a plant-derived fatty alcohol reacted with ethylene oxide, a petroleum-based building block. Helps water and oil mix in cleansers.

CosIng definition: Deceth-7 is the polyethylene glycol ether of decyl alcohol

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.
2DECETH-7. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
3DECETH-7. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=DECETH-7