Database/Emulsifying Surfactant/Trideceth-2
100% petroleum · ISO 16128

Is Trideceth-2 natural?

No. Isotridecanol is a synthetic branched alcohol from petrochemical propylene oligomers, not an oleochemical fatty alcohol; the ethoxylate chain is also petrochemical.

INCI nameTrideceth-2
CAS24938-91-8
FormulaC17H36O3 · 288.5 Da
FunctionEmulsifying Surfactant
FeedstockIsotridecyl alcohol is manufactured by oxo-synthesis (hydroformylation) of…

How we scored it

Isotridecanol (branched C13 oxo-alcohol from petrochemical propylene, 183 Da) + 2xEO (88 Da) = 288 Da, all petrochemical; 0/288 = 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

Isotridecyl alcohol is manufactured by oxo-synthesis (hydroformylation) of propylene tetramer, then ethoxylated with petrochemical ethylene oxide. No natural feedstock is used.

In plain English

A branched synthetic alcohol made from petrochemical propylene, reacted with a small amount of ethylene oxide, also petrochemical. Used as an emulsifier that blends oil and water in creams and lotions.

CosIng definition: Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-tridecyl-.omega.-hydroxy- (2 mol EO average molar ratio); Isotridecanol, ethoxylated

Natural alternatives with the same function

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 Behenic Acid 100% natural origin

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 C10-16 Alkyl Glucoside 100% natural origin

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 C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside 100% natural origin

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 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…

Structure

2D structure of Trideceth-2

2-(2-tridecoxyethoxy)ethanol

PubChem CID 84582 ↗

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. 2Trideceth-2. PubChem CID 84582. National Center for Biotechnology Information. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
  3. 3TRIDECETH-2. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  4. 4TRIDECETH-2. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=TRIDECETH-2