Oleth-3 Phosphate

This is a phosphate ester of Oleth-3 that acts as a pH-responsive, water-dispersible surfactant, used in emulsions and cleansers for charge-based stabilization, wetting, and better compatibility with cationic or amphoteric co-surfactants.
Like this ingredient?

Ingredient Snapshot

Overview
Helps cleansers and lotions blend evenly for a light, clean feel.
Category
Emulsifying, Cleansing
Type
Emulsifier

Ingredient Ratings

Overall Rating

Good

Comedogenic Risk

None

Skin Benefits

Promotes even-spreading, lighter-feeling products that cleanse effectively. Helps maintain formula consistency for a smooth application experience.

Uses In Skincare & Cosmetics

Used in facial cleansers, gel-creams, and lotions to help form stable oil-in-water textures. Also found in makeup-removing milks where a balanced cleanse and glide are desired.

Comedogenic Rating

This ingredient is not typically evaluated for comedogenicity, and no standardized rating is available.

Safety

Usually well tolerated in rinse-off or well-buffered systems, though its anionic, pH-dependent nature can cause stinging on compromised skin or at unfavorable pH. No specific major regulatory restrictions are known for typical cosmetic use.

Is Oleth-3 Phosphate a Good Ingredient?

Rated Good as a versatile pH-responsive emulsifier and surfactant that helps create stable, light textures, with generally acceptable mildness when properly formulated. Its clinical skin benefits beyond formulation performance are limited, which keeps it from a higher score.

Products with Oleth-3 Phosphate

Related Ingredients