What Is Ceteth-13?
Ceteth-13 is a nonionic surfactant created by attaching roughly 13 units of ethylene oxide to cetyl alcohol, a fatty alcohol commonly sourced from plant oils or sustainably harvested coconut and palm kernels. The result is a waxy, off-white material that dissolves in water and oils, making it a handy bridge between the two. First introduced in the mid-1900s, it quickly found favor with formulators who needed reliable emulsifiers that felt light on skin.
The manufacturing process is straightforward: purified cetyl alcohol is reacted with controlled amounts of ethylene oxide in a closed vessel under heat and pressure. The number of ethylene oxide units determines the final material’s thickness and solubility, and the average of 13 units gives a balanced profile suited to skin care.
You will spot Ceteth-13 in facial cleansers, body lotions, hair conditioners, makeup removers, sunscreen milks, sheet mask serums, lightweight moisturizers and many anti-aging creams where a silky, non-greasy finish is desired.
Ceteth-13’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
This ingredient delivers two key perks in everyday beauty products:
- Cleansing agent: surrounds dirt oil and makeup so they can be rinsed away, leaving skin and hair feeling fresh yet comfortable
- Emulsifier: blends water and oil phases into a smooth stable cream or lotion that spreads evenly and keeps its texture over time
Who Can Use Ceteth-13
Ceteth-13 is mild enough for most skin types including normal, oily, dry and combination skin. People with very sensitive or compromised skin usually tolerate it but could notice slight tightness if a formula contains a high level of surfactants.
Because the ingredient is made by reacting ethylene oxide with cetyl alcohol that is almost always sourced from coconut or palm kernels it is generally suitable for vegans and vegetarians. If a brand uses cetyl alcohol from animal fat it would be the exception so ingredient-conscious shoppers should check with the manufacturer.
There are no known issues linked to topical use of Ceteth-13 during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. This is not medical advice and anyone who is pregnant or nursing should run all skincare products past a doctor just to be safe.
Ceteth-13 does not cause photosensitivity and it plays well with common skincare actives such as retinoids or vitamin C. The ingredient is also biodegradable which makes it a good pick for eco-minded users.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Reactions to Ceteth-13 vary from person to person. The following is a list of potential side effects that could occur, though most users experience none of them when the ingredient is used at the levels typically found in finished products.
- Mild skin irritation or redness, especially on broken or freshly exfoliated skin
- Dry or tight feeling if the surrounding formula lacks moisturizers
- Eye stinging when a cleanser is not rinsed out completely
- Contact allergy presenting as itching rash or swelling in those sensitive to fatty alcohol derivatives
- Build-up or limp feel on very fine hair when used in leave-in conditioners
If any of these effects occur stop using the product and seek guidance from a healthcare professional.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 1 out of 5. Ceteth-13 is predominantly a water-soluble surfactant so it does not hang around in pores the way heavier oils can. Although it is built from cetyl alcohol, the addition of 13 ethylene oxide units greatly reduces the waxy residue that could clog follicles. As a result most dermatology resources place it at the low end of the scale.
This makes Ceteth-13 generally suitable for acne-prone or breakout-prone skin. Only in very rich leave-on products used at high concentrations would it be likely to cause issues.
Summary
Ceteth-13 acts as a gentle cleanser that lifts away grime and as an emulsifier that keeps water and oil blended into a smooth stable lotion. It achieves these jobs by combining a fatty tail that loves oil with a polyethylene glycol chain that loves water, letting it anchor itself at the interface and pull the two phases together.
The ingredient is a quiet workhorse rather than a trending superstar, yet formulators value its reliability silky feel and clean rinse which is why you will find it in everything from face washes to lightweight creams.
Current safety data shows low irritation potential and virtually no toxicological concerns when used in cosmetic levels. Still skin is individual so it is smart to patch test any new product that contains Ceteth-13 before full application.