murphyPEG-16 Cetyl/Oleyl/Stearyl/Lanolin Alcohol Ether
molecular structure · PubChem
AKA: Polyethylene Glycol 16 Mixed Alcohol Ether
Plant-Derived
Cleanser
Emulsifier
Barrier Lipid
Not Clean
Origin-Derived
Lanolin alcohols, compounds with hexadecanol, 9-(Z)-octadecenol and octadecanol, ethoxylated (16 mol EO average molar ratio)
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
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
Allergen Warning
⚠️ Lanolin (Wool)
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-reviewednone on file
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed1 review →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
Regulatory Agencies
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR