Nonyl nonoxynol-150 is an ester compound between the C-9 alcohol (nonyl alcohol also called nonanol) and a nonylphenol ethoxylate derivative (here: nonoxynol-150). Nonylphenol ethoxylates are a group of synthetic, non-ionic surfactants derived from nonylphenols. They differ from each other in the number of hydrophilic ethoxy units of the polyethylene glycol side chain. The number of ethoxy units is declared in the name, e.g. nonoxynol- 150 with 150 ethoxy units.
Nonyl nonoxynol-150 is used in cosmetic formulations. The substance acts as a surfactant (washing-active substance) and skin cleansing agent (cleans the body surface).