Ceteareth-20
Ceteareth-20
Also known as: Ceteareth 20 · Polyoxyethylene Cetostearyl Ether
EmulsifierSurfactant
“An emulsifier that keeps oil and water from separating.”
What it does
Ceteareth-20 is an ethoxylated fatty alcohol used to bind the oil and water phases of a cream together. It has no direct effect on skin and exists purely to make a stable, pleasant texture possible. It is well tolerated by most people, though ethoxylated ingredients are sometimes avoided by those with very reactive skin.
Benefits
- Keeps creams and lotions from separating
- Allows lighter textures than wax-only emulsifiers
How to layer
☀️ Morning routine
Cleanser
Toner
Serum
Moisturiser
SPF
🌙 Evening routine
Cleanser
Toner
Serum
Moisturiser
Face Oil
After cleansing, before moisturiser
Good for
All skin
Heads up
- ⚠Can be mildly irritating on already-compromised skin
How to use
A base ingredient. No special application needed.
Typical concentration: 1–5% in formulations