Isoceteth-20
molecular structure · PubChem
AKA: Isocetyl alcohol ethoxylate, PEG-20 isocetyl ether
Synthetic
Cleanser
Emulsifier
Clean
Alcohols, C16-branched, ethoxylated (20 mol EO average molar ratio)
Effective at 10.5%
CAS #
9002-92-0; 68439-50-9; 5274-68-0; 9004-95-9; 9005-00-9; 4536-30-5; 3055-93-4; 3055-94-5; 3055-95-6
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.
Emulsifying
Forces oil and water to stay mixed instead of separating into layers. The unsung hero holding your lotion together.
Cleansing Surfactant
Emulsifier
Antioxidant Protection
Removes Impurities
Mixes Oil & Water
Traditional Use
Synthetic ethoxylated surfactant developed as a cosmetic emulsifier in the late 20th century. Used to stabilize oil-in-water emulsions and improve the texture of creams and cleansing products.
EWG
2
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Concentration Guide
0.0002%
21.0%
0%29%
Reported use
CIR reported use: 0.0002-21 | 0.0002-8 | 0.2-3 | 0.2-4
Regulatory Agencies
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
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.
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR