murphyLaneth-9 Acetate
molecular structure · PubChem
AKA: 2-Hydroxyethyl acetate, 542-59-6, Ethylene glycol monoacetate, 2-Acetoxyethanol, Glycol monoacetate, Beta-Hydroxyethyl acetate, ETHYLENEDIOL MONOACETATE, MONOACETYL ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Synthetic
Emollient
Skin Conditioner
Hair Care
Not Clean
OriginDerived from lanolin (wool wax) or synthetic fatty alcohols combined with polyethylene glycol. Synthesized through ethoxylation followed by acetylation esterification of the resulting polyethylene glycol ether.
See also: Lanolin, ethoxylated, acetate (annotation moved to).
Solubility greater than or equal to 100 mg/mL at 70 °F (NTP, 1992)
Formula
C4H8O3
Mol. Weight
104.10
CAS #
65071-98-9
Form
Liquid
State
Almost odorless clear colorless liquid. (NTP, 1992)
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
Functions
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.
Emollient
Fills in the tiny cracks between skin cells to make everything feel smooth and soft. The "silky finish" ingredient.
Locks In Moisture
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 a Sensitizer
1 study / 1 not sensitizing (CIR 226)
Eye Irritant in Testing
1 study / 1 irritating (CIR 226)
Mixed Skin Irritation Results
3 studies / 1 irritating / 1 mixed / 1 not irritating (CIR 226)
Concentration Guide
CIR lists it as not reported to be in use.
CIR · 2022 survey
Regulatory Agencies
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR