Database/Emollient/Isolaureth-6
100% petroleum · ISO 16128

Is Isolaureth-6 natural?

No. Unlike the C16–C20 Guerbet alcohols, branched C12 alcohols have no established coconut- or palm-based route: they are oxo or Guerbet products of petrochemical olefins and short alcohols. Ethoxylation with ethylene oxide adds only petrochemical mass, so nothing in the molecule counts as natural. Same ruling as Isodecyl alcohol derivatives.

INCI nameIsolaureth-6
FunctionEmollient · Emulsifying Surfactant
FeedstockPropylene-derived branched dodecanol ethoxylated with about six units…

How we scored it

C12-branched alcohol C12H26O 186.3 Da (petrochemical: isododecanol from propylene-tetramer oxo synthesis, or 2-butyloctanol from Guerbet coupling of petrochemical butanol/hexanol) + 6×EO 264.3 Da (petrochemical) → 0/450.7 = 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

Propylene-derived branched dodecanol ethoxylated with about six units of petrochemical ethylene oxide.

In plain English

An emulsifying and cleansing ingredient in skincare and hair products. Made by reacting a branched fatty alcohol with ethylene oxide, a petroleum-based chemical.

CosIng definition: Alcohols, C12-branched, ethoxylated (6 mol EO average molar ratio)

Natural alternatives with the same function

Acacia Dealbata Flower Wax 100% natural origin

A soft wax from mimosa flowers used to condition skin and add emollience. It is derived directly from…

 Acrocomia Aculeata Seed Butter 100% natural origin

A solid plant fat obtained from the seeds of the macauba palm, a South American tree, used to…

 Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract 100% natural origin

An extract made from kiwi fruit, used in cosmetics as a skin-conditioning and softening ingredient. Comes directly from…

 Actinidia Chinensis Seed Oil 100% natural origin

A plant oil pressed from kiwi seeds, used to soften and condition skin. It's a natural vegetable oil…

 Adansonia Digitata Fruit Extract 100% natural origin

An extract of baobab fruit, from the African baobab tree. Used as an emollient to soften and smooth…

 Adansonia Digitata Oil 100% natural origin

A rich vegetable oil pressed from the baobab tree's fruit pulp and leaves. Used to soften and condition…

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