INCI · surfactant · CIR review pending · used in 2 products
Ceteth-3
Ceteth-3 is an ethoxylated fatty alcohol derived from cetyl alcohol (hexadecanol) with an average of 3 moles of ethylene oxide. Its INCI chemical description is poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), α-hexadecyl-ω-hydroxy- (3 mol EO average molar ratio), with CAS numbers 9004-95-9 / 4484-59-7. It functions primarily as an emulsifying agent and surfactant/cleansing ingredient in cosmetic formulations.
Evidence level
weakEWG score
—Comedogenic
—Category
surfactant● Benefits
Ceteth-3 helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions, allowing water and oil phases to blend uniformly in creams and lotions. As a surfactant, it can also contribute mild cleansing properties to formulations.
emulsifying
● Cautions
