Cetyl Betaine
AKA: Palmityldimethylbetaine, 1-Hexadecanaminium, N-(carboxymethyl)-N, Inner salt, (Carboxylatomethyl)hexadecyldimethylammonium, AMPHOSOL CDB, MACKAM CET, Hydroxide
Synthetic
Cleanser
Skin Conditioner
Hair Care
Amino Acid
Plant Oil
Clean
(Carboxylatomethyl)hexadecyldimethylammonium
Effective at 4.35%
Formula
C20H41NO2
Mol. Weight
327.50
CAS #
693-33-4
Form
Liquid
State
Liquid
Functions
Antistatic
Cleansing
Makes oil and water mix so dirt, makeup, and sunscreen can actually be washed away. The reason your face wash foams.
Hair Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Cleansing
Makes oil and water mix so dirt, makeup, and sunscreen can actually be washed away. The reason your face wash foams.
Foam Boosting
Viscosity Controlling
Locks in moisture
Traditional Use
A synthetic amphoteric surfactant created in the mid-20th century as part of the development of gentler cleansing agents. Designed to replace harsher soap-based ingredients in shampoos and body washes.
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
0.0001%
8.7%
0%12%
Reported use
CIR reported use: 0.0001-8.7 | 0.36-7.4
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