What Is C14-15 Alketh-11?
C14-15 Alketh-11 is a synthetic ingredient made by reacting a blend of mid length fatty alcohols with about eleven units of ethylene oxide. The fatty alcohols have chain lengths of 14 and 15 carbon atoms, which can be sourced from petroleum or from plant oils such as coconut or palm. This reaction, called ethoxylation, turns the original oily alcohols into a water-compatible liquid that behaves like a gentle nonionic surfactant.
Nonionic surfactants gained popularity in the 1950s when formulators needed stable alternatives to soap in creams and lotions. C14-15 Alketh-11 became one of the workhorses because it mixes easily with both oils and water, stays effective over a wide pH range and is tolerant of many other common cosmetic ingredients.
Today manufacturers use it in a broad range of leave-on and rinse-off products. You will often spot it in moisturizers, sunscreens, face masks, cleansing milks, anti-aging serums, hair conditioners and styling creams where it helps keep the formula smooth and uniform.
C14-15 Alketh-11’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
C14-15 Alketh-11 serves a single but important role in personal care formulas.
Emulsifying: It binds oil and water into a stable emulsion so the product does not separate on the shelf or during use. This gives creams and lotions a pleasing texture, allows active ingredients to spread evenly across the skin or hair and improves the overall sensory feel of the product.
Who Can Use C14-15 Alketh-11
This emulsifier is considered gentle enough for most skin types including dry oily and sensitive skin. Because it helps water and oils blend without adding heavy residue it usually performs well for acne-prone complexions too. People with highly reactive or compromised skin barriers should still keep an eye on how their skin feels since any surfactant can occasionally cause tightness or mild irritation.
C14-15 Alketh-11 is made from synthetic or plant-derived fatty alcohols and ethylene oxide, not animal sources, so it is generally suitable for vegans and vegetarians. If animal-free status is critical, verify with the brand that its raw materials are plant based.
No research suggests special restrictions for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding when this ingredient is used at the low levels found in cosmetics. That said this is not medical advice, and anyone who is expecting or nursing should run planned skincare routines by a qualified healthcare provider just to be safe.
The ingredient does not make skin more sensitive to sunlight and has no known effects on hair color treatments or other common actives. It is also fragrance-free and has no natural allergens of its own.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Responses to topical C14-15 Alketh-11 vary from person to person. The issues below are possible but unlikely for the average user when the finished product is well formulated.
- Mild skin irritation such as redness stinging or tightness
- Contact dermatitis in individuals allergic to polyethylene glycol derivatives
- Eye irritation if the raw material or a cleansing product gets into the eyes
- Dryness or transient flaking on very delicate skin when used in a high-foaming cleanser
- Rare contamination with trace 1,4-dioxane if the manufacturer does not properly purify the ingredient
If you notice any discomfort or unusual reaction while using a product that contains C14-15 Alketh-11 stop using it and consult a healthcare professional.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 1 out of 5
C14-15 Alketh-11 has a very low tendency to clog pores because it is highly water soluble, used at small percentages and easily rinses away without leaving a heavy film. Its fatty alcohol backbone is masked by 11 ethylene oxide units that keep the molecule light and non-occlusive. For most people with acne prone or breakout prone skin this ingredient is considered safe.
Because it is sometimes paired with heavier oils its real-world effect depends on the rest of the formula, not the emulsifier itself.
Summary
C14-15 Alketh-11 is primarily an emulsifier that holds oil and water together so creams, lotions and cleansers stay smooth and uniform. By straddling both phases it spreads actives evenly and gives products a pleasant feel.
It is a reliable workhorse found in everything from moisturizers and sunscreens to hair conditioners though it rarely gets star billing on the label. Formulators like it because it is stable across pH ranges, compatible with most actives and easy to source.
Safety data show it to be low risk with minimal irritation potential at typical cosmetic levels. As with any new skincare ingredient it is wise to perform a quick patch test when trying a fresh product to make sure your individual skin agrees with it.