murphyGlycol Stearate SE
AKA: Ethylene glycol monostearate, 111-60-4, 2-Hydroxyethyl octadecanoate, Monthybase, Monthyle, Parastarin, Ivorit, Sedetol, Glycol monostearate
Plant-Derived
Cleanser
Emulsifier
Not Clean
OriginTypically derived from coconut, palm kernel, or soybean oils as the starting material. Produced through esterification of stearic acid with ethylene glycol, followed by ethoxylation.
Octadecanoic acid, reaction products with 1,2,ethanediol (1:1), neutralized
Solubility POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL ESTERS AND ETHERS INCR THE WATER SOLUBILITY OF TYROTHRICIN.
Formula
C20H40O3
Mol. Weight
328.50
CAS #
86418-55-5
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
Functions
Cleansing
Makes oil and water mix so dirt, makeup, and sunscreen can actually be washed away. The reason your face wash foams.
Emulsifying
Forces oil and water to stay mixed instead of separating into layers. The unsung hero holding your lotion together.
Cleansing Surfactant
Emulsifier
Removes Impurities
Mixes Oil & Water
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed2 reviews →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not an Eye Irritant
1 study / 1 not irritating (CIR 237)
Mixed Skin Irritation Results
1 study / 1 mixed / reactions slight (CIR 237)
Concentration Guide
CIR's newest survey reports no concentration of use.
CIR · 2022 survey
Regulatory Agencies
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR