C12-13 Pareth-1

AKA: Polyoxyethylene alkyl ether

Synthetic

Emollient

Cleanser

Skin Conditioner

Plant Oil

Not Clean

2-(C12-13-Alkyloxy)ethanol; C12-13 Pareth-1 is the polyethylene glycol ether of a mixture of synthetic C12-13 fatty alcohols containing an average of 1 mole of ethylene oxide

CAS #

-

Form

Liquid

Functions

Cleansing

Makes oil and water mix so dirt, makeup, and sunscreen can actually be washed away. The reason your face wash foams.

Emollient

Fills in the tiny cracks between skin cells to make everything feel smooth and soft. The "silky finish" ingredient.

Locks In Moisture

Traditional Use

Synthetic nonionic surfactant developed in the mid-20th century for use as a mild cleanser and emulsifier in cosmetics and personal care products.

EWG

CIR

Safe as used

Pregnancy

Yes

CIR Safety Findings

Not a Sensitizer

medical-approval

all-shades-safe

Regulatory Status

USA✔ permitted

EU⚠ restricted

JAPAN⚠ restricted

CANADA⚠ restricted

Regulatory Agencies

EWG CIR FDA EU COSING Health Canada

Skin Types

●all-skin-types

Best For

General

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe

Yes

The paper trail

🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →

⚖️Regulatory1 listing →

🛡️Safety-assessed1 review →

Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.

Verified Jun 2026

Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR