What Is Cetoleth-11?
Cetoleth-11 is a nonionic surfactant made by taking long-chain fatty alcohols that come mainly from plant oils, then adding about 11 units of ethylene oxide to each molecule. The fatty alcohol part is mostly cetyl (C16) and oleyl (C18) chains, which help it mix well with skin-friendly oils. First introduced in the 1960s as a gentle alternative to harsher soaps, it quickly found a place in personal care because it cleans without stripping and helps oil and water stay blended.
Manufacturing starts with refining vegetable or sometimes fish-derived fatty alcohols, followed by an ethoxylation step where ethylene oxide gas reacts with the alcohols under heat and pressure. The finished liquid or waxy paste has both water-loving and oil-loving parts, making it useful in many formulas.
You will most often spot Cetoleth-11 in facial cleansers, creamy body washes, moisturizers, masks, lightweight lotions, sunscreens and makeup removers. Its ability to keep mixtures stable also makes it common in serums and leave-on conditioners.
Cetoleth-11’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
Formulators choose Cetoleth-11 because it performs more than one helpful job in a product
- Cleansing – lifts away dirt, excess oil and makeup so they can be rinsed off without leaving skin tight or dry
- Emulsifying – binds oil and water into a smooth stable lotion or cream which improves texture, prevents separation and lets active ingredients spread evenly
Who Can Use Cetoleth-11
Cetoleth-11 is generally well tolerated by most skin types, including normal, oily, combination, dry and even sensitive skin because it is a mild nonionic surfactant that cleanses without aggressive stripping. Very reactive or severely compromised skin may still prefer fragrance-free, ultra-minimal formulas, so those users should check the full ingredient list before proceeding.
The fatty alcohols used to make Cetoleth-11 can come from either plant sources like coconut or palm oil or from fish oils. If you follow a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle you will want confirmation that the manufacturer used a vegetable-derived grade.
No data suggest that topical Cetoleth-11 poses specific risks for pregnant or breastfeeding women, yet this is not medical advice and anyone who is expecting or nursing should review any new skincare product with a qualified healthcare provider to be safe.
The ingredient does not make skin more sensitive to sunlight and there are no known interactions with common actives such as retinoids or vitamin C. It is also compatible with hard-water conditions which helps cleansers rinse cleanly in different regions.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Reactions to Cetoleth-11 can differ from person to person. The points below list potential side effects but they are uncommon when the ingredient is used correctly in a well-formulated product.
- Mild transient stinging in very sensitive or broken skin
- Contact irritation that may appear as redness, itching or burning after application
- Rare allergic contact dermatitis if an individual is specifically sensitized to ethoxylated fatty alcohols
- Eye irritation if the product is not designed for the eye area and accidentally gets into the eyes
If any of these reactions occur stop using the product and consult a medical professional for guidance.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 1 out of 5. While Cetoleth-11 is made from cetyl and oleyl fatty alcohols that on their own can clog pores, adding roughly 11 ethylene oxide units makes the molecule far more water loving and less likely to sit inside pores. In leave-on products the concentration is usually low and in rinse-off cleansers it is quickly washed away. Because of this it is generally considered safe for skin that is prone to acne or breakouts, though reactions can vary from person to person. No added data suggest that it will worsen blackheads or whiteheads under normal use.
As with most surfactants, the finished product formula matters. Heavy creams that pair Cetoleth-11 with rich oils or waxes may raise the overall pore-clogging risk while lightweight lotions and cleansers tend to remain non-comodogenic.
Summary
Cetoleth-11 is a mild nonionic surfactant that cleans the skin and hair by loosening oil and debris then letting water rinse them away. It also acts as an emulsifier, holding oil and water together so formulas stay smooth and stable. This mix of cleansing power and texture help has kept it in steady, if not headline-grabbing, use since the 1960s. You will see it more often in everyday cleansers and lotions than in trend-driven spotlight products, which means it flies under the radar yet does a lot of behind-the-scenes work.
Safety data show low irritation and very low allergy rates. As with any cosmetic ingredient each person’s skin can respond differently so it is smart to patch test a new product before full use, especially if you have sensitive or reactive skin.