What Is C12-14 Alketh-9?
C12-14 Alketh-9 is an ingredient made by attaching about nine units of ethylene oxide to a blended mix of synthetic fatty alcohols that have 12 to 14 carbon atoms. This pairing of fatty alcohols with ethylene oxide creates a water-loving end and an oil-loving end, allowing the material to act as a bridge between oil and water.
The fatty alcohols used today are produced from plant oils or petroleum sources, then refined to remove unwanted residues. Ethoxylation, the step where ethylene oxide reacts with the alcohols, is carried out in closed reactors under controlled heat and pressure. This gives a predictable average of nine ethylene oxide units, which is why the number 9 appears in the name.
Nonionic surfactants like this one first appeared in household cleaning products in the mid-20th century. Their mildness and efficiency soon caught the attention of personal care formulators, who adopted them for shampoos in the 1960s. Over time C12-14 Alketh-9 became a regular choice for facial cleansers, body washes and makeup removers because it creates a rich yet gentle lather.
You will most often spot C12-14 Alketh-9 in foaming cleansers, shower gels, micellar waters, exfoliating scrubs, bubble baths and some rinse-off masks. Its ability to blend oils into water also helps stabilize emulsions, so it may appear in lightweight lotions that need a little extra help to keep from separating.
C12-14 Alketh-9’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
In topical beauty products C12-14 Alketh-9 serves one main purpose that delivers several advantages to the finished formula.
As a cleansing agent it loosens dirt, sweat and makeup from the skin or hair so they can be rinsed away with water. Because it is nonionic it tends to be milder than many traditional sulfates, which helps reduce the risk of dryness while still giving a satisfying foam. Its dual-nature structure also makes it useful for lifting oily residues without leaving a heavy film, leaving the skin feeling fresh and comfortable.
Who Can Use C12-14 Alketh-9
This surfactant is generally considered suitable for all skin types, including oily, combination, normal and even some sensitive skin since it is milder than many sulfate-based cleansers. Very dry or highly reactive skin might prefer formulas where C12-14 Alketh-9 is paired with extra emollients or used at lower levels because any foaming agent can contribute to moisture loss if overused.
The fatty alcohols used to make C12-14 Alketh-9 can be sourced from either plants or petroleum. When the supply chain relies on plant-derived alcohols and no animal by-products are added during manufacturing the finished material is compatible with vegan and vegetarian preferences. Brands usually specify this on their packaging or website so check there if animal-free status is important to you.
Current safety assessments show no evidence of reproductive or developmental toxicity from topical use of this ingredient. That said pregnant or breastfeeding individuals should always run any skincare routine past a qualified healthcare professional for personalized guidance because hormonal shifts can make skin more reactive and individual circumstances vary.
C12-14 Alketh-9 does not make skin more sensitive to the sun and it does not interfere with sunscreen performance. It also rinses away cleanly so it will not leave a residue that could clog pores or interact with leave-on actives in later steps of a routine.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Responses to topical C12-14 Alketh-9 vary from person to person. The effects listed below are only potential outcomes and are unlikely for most users when the ingredient is used correctly in a well-formulated product.
- Mild transient stinging or redness on very sensitive skin, especially if the cleanser is left on too long
- Dryness or tightness if used in high concentrations or paired with hot water and aggressive scrubbing
- Allergic contact dermatitis in individuals with an established PEG or surfactant allergy
- Eye irritation if the product accidentally gets into the eyes before rinsing
- In rare cases increased penetration of other irritating ingredients applied immediately afterward due to temporary disruption of the skin barrier
If any uncomfortable reaction occurs discontinue use promptly and consult a healthcare professional or dermatologist for further advice.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 1 out of 5. C12-14 Alketh-9 is a rinse-off nonionic surfactant that dissolves oils rather than depositing them on the skin, so it has very little tendency to clog pores. Its molecules are water-soluble and are carried away during rinsing, leaving minimal residual film. For this reason it is generally suitable for acne-prone or breakout-prone skin.
Because the ingredient is usually used at low levels in washes and is removed within seconds, any minor residue that remains is unlikely to mix with sebum or dead cells in a way that would block follicles. If a formula combines this surfactant with heavy oils or waxes those other ingredients, not C12-14 Alketh-9 itself, would pose the higher comedogenic risk.
Summary
C12-14 Alketh-9 is valued for one main job: cleansing. Its split personality structure—one end loves water, the other loves oil—lets it surround dirt and makeup so they can be lifted away with water, creating gentle foam without the harshness some sulfates can cause.
You will find it in many everyday shampoos, facial cleansers, body washes and micellar waters, though it is not the headline act like sodium laureth sulfate or cocamidopropyl betaine. Formulators pick it to fine-tune mildness, boost foam and help stabilize light emulsions, which keeps it in steady but quiet demand.
Current safety reviews classify topical use as low risk with no evidence of long-term harm when properly formulated and rinsed. Still, individual skin can be unpredictable so it is smart to patch test any new product that includes this ingredient before adding it to your full routine.