What Is Sodium Ceteth-13 Carboxylate?
Sodium Ceteth-13 Carboxylate is a synthetic ingredient made by attaching about 13 units of ethylene oxide to cetyl alcohol then converting one end of the chain into a carboxylate salt with sodium. The result is a waxy, off-white substance that dissolves readily in water and oils. Chemists first explored this class of materials in the 1960s while searching for milder alternatives to soap. Over time formulators noticed that the combination of a fatty chain and multiple ethylene oxide units produced gentle yet effective cleansing and emulsifying properties, so the ingredient found its way into skin and hair care.
Manufacturing starts with plant-derived cetyl alcohol obtained from coconut or palm oil. Through a controlled ethoxylation reaction the alcohol is bonded to successive ethylene oxide molecules. The ethoxylated alcohol then reacts with monochloroacetic acid, creating a carboxymethoxy group that is finally neutralized with sodium hydroxide. Each step is tightly monitored to meet cosmetic-grade purity standards.
You will most often spot Sodium Ceteth-13 Carboxylate in facial cleansers, micellar waters, body washes, lightweight lotions, hair conditioners and makeup-removing wipes. Because it can stabilize oil-in-water mixes it also shows up in sunscreens, serum emulsions and sheet mask essences where a smooth uniform texture is critical.
Sodium Ceteth-13 Carboxylate’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
In formulas this ingredient plays two key roles that improve both product performance and user experience.
- Cleansing: Its amphiphilic structure loosens and lifts dirt, excess sebum and makeup, allowing them to rinse away with water. This gives cleansers a mild skin-friendly action that avoids the tight dry feel often linked to harsher surfactants.
- Emulsifying: The molecule’s fatty tail anchors into oils while the ethoxylated and carboxylate ends stay in the water phase. This dual affinity helps keep oil and water evenly blended so lotions remain smooth, non-greasy and stable over time.
Who Can Use Sodium Ceteth-13 Carboxylate
This ingredient is generally well tolerated by most skin types, including oily, combination, normal and dry skin. Its mild cleansing action makes it a solid choice for sensitive or easily irritated complexions, though extremely reactive skin may still prefer simpler formulas with fewer surfactants.
Sodium Ceteth-13 Carboxylate is synthesized from plant-derived cetyl alcohol and petrochemical ethylene oxide, with no animal inputs, so it is suitable for both vegans and vegetarians.
Current safety data show no specific concerns for pregnant or breastfeeding women when the ingredient is used topically in rinse-off or leave-on products. This is not medical advice and anyone who is pregnant or nursing should discuss all skincare choices with a qualified health professional to be extra safe.
The molecule does not make skin more sensitive to sunlight, so it is not considered photosensitizing. It also plays nicely with most other cosmetic actives, including acids, retinoids and sunscreens.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Responses to topical Sodium Ceteth-13 Carboxylate vary from person to person. The points below outline potential side effects that could occur, though they are uncommon when the ingredient is used at typical cosmetic levels in well-formulated products.
- Mild skin irritation – a brief stinging or warming sensation, usually in very sensitive or compromised skin
- Redness or itching – a rare sign of allergic contact dermatitis
- Dryness or tight feel – possible if used in a high-foaming cleanser without enough moisturising agents
- Eye sting – can occur if the product accidentally gets into the eyes, especially in higher concentrations
If any of these reactions appear stop using the product and consult a healthcare professional or dermatologist for guidance.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 1 / 5 – Sodium Ceteth-13 Carboxylate is derived from cetyl alcohol, a fatty ingredient that can sometimes clog pores, but its structure is heavily modified with ethylene oxide units and a charged carboxylate head. These changes make the molecule far more water soluble and less likely to build up inside a follicle. In rinse-off cleansers any brief skin contact further lowers the chance of pore blockage. Overall it is considered low risk for causing blackheads or pimples, so most acne-prone users can tolerate it without issues.
No added oils or butters are typically paired with this surfactant, which also helps keep formulas lightweight and less occlusive.
Summary
Sodium Ceteth-13 Carboxylate is a mild cleanser and emulsifier. Its fatty tail grabs onto oils and grime while the ethoxylated, charged end stays friendly with water, allowing dirt to lift away and oil-in-water mixes to stay smooth and stable. You will mainly see it in gentle facial washes, micellar waters and some light lotions rather than in high-foaming shower gels or rich creams, so its market presence is steady but hardly headline-grabbing.
Current research and decades of cosmetic use show it to be safe at typical concentrations with only rare reports of irritation. As with any new product, give your skin a quick patch test first to make sure it agrees with you.