Database/Emulsifying Surfactant/Polyglyceryl-3 Decyltetradecyl Ether
Route-dependent · ISO 16128

Is Polyglyceryl-3 Decyltetradecyl Ether natural?

It depends. 2-Decyltetradecanol is a Guerbet dimer of dodecanol, which is made both oleochemically and petrochemically, so the ether's natural share depends on the alcohol source. Same ruling as Octyldodecanol and Isocetyl Stearate.

INCI namePolyglyceryl-3 Decyltetradecyl Ether
FunctionEmulsifying Surfactant
FeedstockPolyglycerol-3 from vegetable glycerin etherified with 2-decyltetradecanol, a…

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
oleochemical Guerbet alcohol2-decyltetradecanol from coconut/palm dodecanol, etherified with natural polyglycerol-31.00Every carbon natural.
petrochemical Guerbet alcohol2-decyltetradecanol from Ziegler/oxo dodecanol, etherified with polyglycerol-30.41Polyglyceryl-3 fragment 239.2/576.9 = 0.41.
Ask your supplier. A batch-specific certificate of origin or bio-based carbon test (ASTM D6866) settles which route applies.

How we scored it

C33H68O7 576.9 Da: the polyglyceryl-3 fragment 239.2 Da is natural glycerol in both routes; the decyltetradecyl chain C24H49 337.7 Da is natural when the Guerbet alcohol is built from coconut/palm dodecanol (NOI 1.00) and petrochemical when built from Ziegler or oxo dodecanol (0.41). Headline shows the natural route.
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

Polyglycerol-3 from vegetable glycerin etherified with 2-decyltetradecanol, a C24 Guerbet alcohol of oleochemical or petrochemical dodecanol.

In plain English

An emulsifier made by joining plant-derived glycerin with a fatty alcohol from coconut or palm oil. It helps oil and water mix in creams and lotions. Typically made from renewable plant oils rather than petroleum.

CosIng definition: 1,2,3-Propanetriol, homopolymer, 2-decyltetradecyl ethers (1:1) (3 mol glycerol average molar ratio)

Natural alternatives with the same function

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