Steareth-20

Steareth-20 is a polyethylene glycol stearyl ether classified as a nonionic surfactant and emulsifier for cosmetic formulations. It's used to maintain uniform oil-water blends, refine skinfeel, and improve the stability of creams and lotions.
Like this ingredient?

Ingredient Snapshot

Overview
An emulsifier that gives creams a smooth glide and less greasy feel.
Category
Emulsifying
Type
Emulsifier

Ingredient Ratings

Overall Rating

Great

Comedogenic Risk

None

Skin Benefits

It delivers a smoother glide and a more elegant feel while helping reduce greasy residue, and aids in keeping mixtures cohesive over time.

Uses In Skincare & Cosmetics

It's frequently used in moisturizers, sunscreens, and makeup primers to disperse oils and actives evenly, and found in cream cleansers for a balanced texture.

Comedogenic Rating

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

Safety

It's generally well tolerated in both leave-on and rinse-off products. A small risk of mild irritation exists, particularly at higher levels or on compromised skin.

Is Steareth-20 a Good Ingredient?

It earns a Great rating due to its strong track record for emulsion stability and easy formulation with diverse oils, while maintaining a low incidence of irritation in cosmetic use. Its higher HLB provides dependable dispersion and slip without notable reactivity.

Products with Steareth-20

Related Ingredients