Beheneth-5
molecular structure · PubChem
AKA: Beheneth-3, 297176-96-6, PEG-3 behenyl ether, Triethylene glycol behenyl ether, Ethanol
Synthetic
Cleanser
Emulsifier
Plant Oil
Clean
Docosanol, ethoxylated, 5 mol EO (average molar ratio)
Effective at 2.5%
Formula
C28H58O4
Mol. Weight
458.80
CAS #
26636-40-8
Form
Liquid
Functions
Emulsifying
Forces oil and water to stay mixed instead of separating into layers. The unsung hero holding your lotion together.
Emulsifier
Mixes Oil & Water
Traditional Use
A low-molecular-weight synthetic emulsifier derived from behenic acid and polyethylene glycol, developed in modern cosmetics as a mild surfactant with no traditional use background.
EWG
1
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
ewg-1
medical-approval
pregnancy-nursing-safe
all-shades-safe
Concentration Guide
0.0008%
5.0%
0%7%
Reported use
CIR reported use: 0.0008-5 | 0.003-0.6 | 0.03-3 | 0.02-0.3 | 0.5-5
Regulatory Agencies
Skin Types
●all-skin-types, gentle
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewednone on file
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed2 reviews →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR