The INCI names ceteareth-n (where n is a number) refer to polyoxyethylene ethers of a mixture of high molecular mass saturated fatty alcohols, mainly cetyl alcohol (m = 15) and stearyl alcohol (m = 17). The number n indicates the average number of ethylene oxide residues in the polyoxyethylene chain.
These compounds are non-ionic surfactants that work by attracting both water and oil at the same time, frequently used as emulsifiers in soaps and cosmetics.
List of ceteareth compounds
Ceteareth-2 Ceteareth-3 Ceteareth-4 Ceteareth-5 Ceteareth-6 Ceteareth-7 Ceteareth-8 Ceteareth-9 Ceteareth-10 Ceteareth-11 Ceteareth-12 Ceteareth-13 Ceteareth-15 Ceteareth-16 Ceteareth-17 Ceteareth-18 Ceteareth-20 (CAS # 68439-49-6) Ceteareth-22 Ceteareth-23 Ceteareth-25 Ceteareth-27 Ceteareth-28 Ceteareth-29 Ceteareth-30 Ceteareth-33 Ceteareth-34 Ceteareth-40 Ceteareth-50 Ceteareth-55 Ceteareth-60 Ceteareth-80 Ceteareth-100
References