What Is Steareth-6?
Steareth-6 is a synthetic ingredient created by attaching an average of six ethylene oxide units to stearyl alcohol, a fatty alcohol that can be sourced from natural fats and oils such as coconut or palm or produced in a lab. The result is a nonionic surfactant that mixes well with both water and oil. First developed when chemists were searching for gentler alternatives to soap based cleansers, it became popular in the 1960s alongside other ethoxylated compounds. Its reliable performance and mildness have kept it in modern formulas.
The manufacturing process starts with stearyl alcohol, which undergoes ethoxylation, a controlled reaction that adds precise amounts of ethylene oxide. This step lets formulators tailor the molecule’s balance of water loving and oil loving parts, with the “6” indicating the average number of added oxide units.
Because it bridges water and oil, steareth-6 shows up in many product types, including facial cleansers, lotions, creams, serums, sunscreens, hair conditioners, makeup removers, sheet masks and anti aging moisturizers. Its versatility makes it a common helper ingredient rather than a star active, yet it plays a key role in how smooth and stable a product feels.
Steareth-6’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
In formulas steareth-6 delivers practical benefits that improve texture, stability and cleansing ability.
- Cleansing: Its surfactant nature lowers surface tension so water can spread across the skin or hair and lift away oils, dirt and makeup without harsh stripping.
- Emulsifying: It binds water and oil into a uniform mixture, preventing separation and giving creams and lotions a consistent feel that spreads easily and absorbs evenly.
Who Can Use Steareth-6
Steareth-6 is considered suitable for most skin types including dry, oily and combination skin because it is generally mild and noncomedogenic. People with very sensitive or compromised skin should monitor how their skin feels since any surfactant has the potential to cause slight dryness or irritation if used in high amounts.
The ingredient itself is vegan friendly when the stearyl alcohol is sourced from plant oils or synthesized in a lab, which is common practice today. Those following a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle should still scan a product’s overall ingredient list or contact the brand if the origin of the fatty alcohol has not been disclosed.
Current safety data indicate no special concerns for pregnant or breastfeeding women when Steareth-6 is used topically in cosmetics. It does not penetrate deeply or act as a hormone disruptor. This is not medical advice and anyone who is pregnant or nursing should review their skincare routine with a healthcare professional.
Steareth-6 does not cause photosensitivity and will not make skin more prone to sunburn. It also has no known conflicts with common actives such as vitamin C, retinoids or alpha hydroxy acids.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Responses to topical Steareth-6 vary from person to person. The points below describe potential side effects but most users will not experience them when the ingredient is used at standard cosmetic levels.
- Mild skin irritation such as redness stinging or tightness, particularly on very sensitive skin
- Contact dermatitis in individuals allergic to stearyl alcohol derivatives or residual impurities
- Eye irritation if the product accidentally gets into the eyes
- Dryness with prolonged use of high strength cleansers that rely heavily on surfactants
- Rare contamination with trace 1,4 dioxane if manufacturing purification steps are poorly controlled
- Enhanced penetration of other ingredients which could amplify their own irritancy in susceptible users
If any of these reactions occur stop using the product and seek advice from a medical professional.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 1/5
Steareth-6 is highly water-soluble and does not sit on the skin in a thick occlusive layer like raw oils or waxes, so it has little chance to clog pores. Ethoxylation also makes the fatty chain more hydrophilic, further reducing its tendency to trap sebum and debris. Trace amounts used in most leave-on products are well below levels that could block follicles.
Suitable for acne-prone or breakout-prone skin in the vast majority of cases.
Formulas that pair Steareth-6 with heavy oils or butters may still feel rich, so the overall recipe matters more than this single helper ingredient when evaluating pore-clogging potential.
Summary
Steareth-6 is a synthetic surfactant and emulsifier that lifts away dirt and oil while keeping water and oil phases blended. Its balanced structure lets it lower surface tension for gentle cleansing and create stable, smooth creams without greasiness. Because it quietly improves texture and stability, it is popular with formulators but rarely highlighted on product labels, serving as a reliable supporting actor rather than a headline active.
Current safety reviews rate Steareth-6 as low risk when used in standard cosmetic concentrations. Most people tolerate it well, including those with sensitive skin, and it carries a minimal comedogenic rating. Still, skin is personal, so it is wise to patch test any new product containing Steareth-6 to confirm compatibility.