Cetyl Dimethylbutyl Ether

AKA: Cetyl 1, 3-dimethylbutyl ether, ASE 166K, 185143-68-4, 1, 3-Dimethylbutyl hexadecyl ether, Hexadecane, (+-)-CETYL DIMETHYLBUTYL ETHER
Synthetic
Skin Conditioner
Clean
Hexadecane, 1-(1,3-Dimethlbutoxy)-
Formula
C22H46O
Mol. Weight
326.60
CAS #
185143-68-4
Form
Oil
Functions
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Locks in moisture
Traditional Use
A synthetic ether developed in the 20th century for use as a solvent and conditioning agent in cosmetics. Created to improve product texture and spreadability in modern formulations.
EWG
1
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
ewg-1
medical-approval
pregnancy-nursing-safe
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Status
USApermitted
EUrestricted
JAPANrestricted
CANADArestricted
Skin Types
all-skin-types, gentle
Best For
Dryness
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewednone on file
⚖️Regulatory1 listing
🛡️Safety-assessed3 reviews
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR