murphySteareth-12
molecular structure · PubChem
AKA: Stearyl Polyethylene Glycol Ether
Plant-Derived
Cleanser
Emulsifier
Solvent
Not Clean
OriginDerived from coconut or palm kernel oils, which are natural sources of fatty alcohols and oils. Produced through ethoxylation, where ethylene oxide is added to stearyl alcohol to create the polyethylene glycol ether.
Steareth-12 is the polyethylene glycol ether of Stearyl Alcohol.
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
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
Functions
Solvent
Dissolves other ingredients so they distribute evenly in the formula. Often the invisible "base" everything else is mixed into.
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.
Dissolves Ingredients
Cleansing Surfactant
Emulsifier
Lifts away dirt and oil
Mixes oil and water
Dissolves other ingredients
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