Myreth-2 has a Natural Origin Index (NOI) of 0.71 (scale 0–1) per ISO 16128. Myristyl alcohol is a natural coconut/palm-derived fatty alcohol; the ethylene oxide units added are petrochemical. An NOI of 0.71 means 71% of its molecular mass is traceable to a natural, renewable source.

Is Myreth-2 natural? NOI 0.71

How we scored it

Name implies 2 mol EO average (given formula/IUPAC actually matches the n=1 homolog, a data mismatch, noted): tetradecanol 214.4 Da (natural) + 2xEO 88.1 Da (petrochemical) = 214.4/302.5 = 0.71

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

Myristyl alcohol from coconut or palm kernel oil is ethoxylated with petrochemical ethylene oxide to the degree implied by the INCI name.

In plain English

Myristyl alcohol, a fatty alcohol from coconut or palm kernel oil, reacted with a short chain of ethylene oxide (a petrochemical building block). Used as a mild emulsifying surfactant.

CosIng definition: Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-tetradecyl-.omega.-hydroxy-

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