Database/Emulsifying Surfactant/Isoceteth-10
Route-dependent · ISO 16128

Is Isoceteth-10 natural?

It depends. The ethoxylate chain is petrochemical either way; the isocetyl half is natural only when the Guerbet alcohol was built from natural fatty alcohol.

INCI nameIsoceteth-10
FunctionEmulsifying Surfactant · Cleansing Surfactant
FeedstockIsocetyl alcohol (Guerbet, natural or petrochemical) ethoxylated with…

Why the score varies

This ingredient is made commercially by more than one route, and ISO 16128 scores the feedstock actually used. Without a supplier certificate of origin the value cannot be claimed.

RouteFeedstockNOIShareNotes
isocetyl alcohol from natural fatty alcoholisocetyl (2-hexyldecyl) alcohol from Guerbet dimerisation of coconut/palm-kernel octanol, ethoxylated with 10 EO (petrochemical)0.35common for cosmetic gradesisocetyl 241.4 Da natural of 682.9 Da; the 10 EO 440.5 Da are petrochemical
isocetyl alcohol from petrochemical fatty alcoholisocetyl alcohol from Ziegler/oxo octanol, ethoxylated with 10 EO0.00also commercialno natural-origin atoms
Ask your supplier. A batch-specific certificate of origin or bio-based carbon test (ASTM D6866) settles which route applies.

How we scored it

Guerbet alcohols are route-dependent by site policy (see Isocetyl Alcohol). Isoceteth-10 682.9 Da = isocetyl fragment 241.4 Da + 10 EO 440.5 Da (petrochemical). Natural-alcohol route 241.4/682.9 = 0.35; petrochemical-alcohol route 0.0.
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

Isocetyl alcohol (Guerbet, natural or petrochemical) ethoxylated with ethylene oxide.

In plain English

A cleansing and emulsifying ingredient made from a branched C16 fatty alcohol joined to 10 units of ethylene oxide, a petroleum-derived building block. Helps blend oil and water in formulas.

CosIng definition: Alcohols, C16-branched, ethoxylated (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. 2ISOCETETH-10. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  3. 3ISOCETETH-10. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=ISOCETETH-10