Steareth-4 (inci)

Author: Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer

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Last updated on: 29.10.2020

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Definition
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Stearethene (e) refers to the polyoxyethylene ethers of stearyl alcohol (octadecanol) (for comparison see: cetethe as polyoxyethylene ether of cetyl alcohol; laurethe as polyoxyethylene ether of lauryl alcohol and others).

Polyalkylene glycol ethers are non-ionic surfactants whose lipophilic part consists of fatty alcohols (e.g. lauryl alcohol, palmitic alcohol, stearyl alcohols etc.). The hydrophilic part is formed by short-chain polyethylene glycols (polyoxyethylene). In the designation of fatty alcohol polyglycol ethers, the inserted numbering means the average number of ethylene oxide units per mole. Steareth-4, for example, is the INCI designation for a polyoxyethylene ether with 4 ethylene oxide units per mole.

Steareth-4 is used in cosmetic formulations. It acts as an emulsifier (changes the interfacial tension of liquids like water and oil so that they can be mixed together).

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Emulsifiers; Surfactants;

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Last updated on: 29.10.2020