What Is Ceteareth-23?
Ceteareth-23 is a mix of fatty alcohols that come mostly from coconut or palm oil, reacted with about 23 units of ethylene oxide. This reaction turns the naturally waxy fats into a water-friendly ingredient that can blend oil and water. Chemists began using similar compounds in the 1960s when modern emulsifying technology took off, and Ceteareth-23 soon became a favorite for its consistent performance and mildness.
Manufacturing starts with cetyl and stearyl alcohols, the long-chain fats found in plant oils. These alcohols are purified, then exposed to controlled amounts of ethylene oxide under heat and pressure. The result is a creamy, flake-like solid that dissolves in both oil and water, making it easy to add to cosmetic formulas.
You will usually see Ceteareth-23 in products that need a smooth, stable texture such as face and body moisturizers, serums, sunscreens, hair masks, conditioners, makeup removers, cleansing balms and anti-aging creams. It helps these items feel light and spread easily while staying evenly mixed over time.
Ceteareth-23’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
Formulators choose Ceteareth-23 because it pulls double duty in a wide range of products
- Cleansing: Its dual love for oil and water lets it grab onto dirt, makeup and excess sebum, then rinse them away without leaving a heavy film. This makes washes and wipes feel gentle yet effective.
- Emulsifying: By sitting at the boundary between oil and water, it locks the two together into a stable cream or lotion. This keeps products from separating on the shelf, gives them a silky feel and helps active ingredients spread evenly on the skin or hair.
Who Can Use Ceteareth-23
Ceteareth-23 is generally well tolerated by normal, dry, oily and combination skin because it is mild and non-comedogenic. People with very sensitive or compromised skin should keep an eye on how they react, as any surfactant can occasionally feel drying or boost penetration of other ingredients.
The fatty alcohols used to make Ceteareth-23 come from plant oils so the ingredient is suitable for vegans and vegetarians. No animal by-products are involved during manufacturing.
Current safety reviews find no issues for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding when Ceteareth-23 is used in rinse-off or leave-on cosmetics. This is not medical advice and anyone who is expecting or nursing should clear all personal care products with a doctor first.
Ceteareth-23 does not make skin more sensitive to sunlight and it has no known interactions with common active ingredients. It is also odorless which helps fragrance-free formulas stay truly neutral.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Reactions to topical Ceteareth-23 vary from person to person. The issues listed below are possible yet unlikely for most users when the ingredient is correctly formulated and purified.
- Mild stinging or redness on very sensitive skin
- Rare cases of contact dermatitis or allergic rash
- Dryness or tightness if used at high levels in a foaming cleanser
- Increased absorption of other actives which can amplify their irritation potential
- Trace 1,4-dioxane residues if the manufacturer fails to remove all processing by-products
If any irritation, itching or swelling occurs stop using the product and seek advice from a healthcare professional.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 1 out of 5
Ceteareth-23 is derived from lightweight fatty alcohols that are chemically modified to be water friendly, so they rinse clean without leaving a pore clogging residue. Studies and user reports rarely link it to blackheads or breakouts which is why it sits at the low end of the scale. Those prone to acne can usually use products containing Ceteareth-23 without added worry. Because it helps wash excess oil off the skin it may even assist in keeping pores clear when included in cleansers.
Summary
Ceteareth-23 works as a cleanser and emulsifier. Its oil loving tail sticks to dirt, makeup and sebum while its water loving head helps them rinse away. In creams and lotions it straddles both phases so oil and water stay blended, giving products a smooth stable texture that spreads easily.
The ingredient is widely used in moisturizers, sunscreens, hair masks and cleansing balms thanks to its reliability, mildness and plant based sourcing, though it is not a headline star like hyaluronic acid or niacinamide.
Safety assessments show Ceteareth-23 is non sensitizing for most people and it scores very low for comedogenicity. As with any new skincare ingredient it is sensible to do a quick patch test when trying a fresh product just to be safe.