What Is Glycereth-17 Tallowate?
Glycereth-17 Tallowate is a derivative of tallow, the fat obtained from cattle or sheep, that has been chemically linked with an average of 17 units of ethylene oxide and glycerin. The resulting material is a mild, water-soluble surfactant that looks like a clear to pale yellow liquid. It first gained popularity in the late 20th century when formulators were searching for gentler alternatives to traditional soaps. By attaching ethylene oxide units to tallow fatty acids, scientists created a substance that cleans without stripping skin of its natural oils.
The production process starts with purified tallow fatty acids that are reacted with glycerin to form a glyceride. This glyceride then undergoes ethoxylation, where ethylene oxide gas is added in a controlled environment to reach about 17 moles of ethylene oxide per molecule. The final step involves neutralization and purification so it meets cosmetic-grade standards.
You will commonly find Glycereth-17 Tallowate in liquid facial cleansers, body washes, shampoo, bubble baths, make-up removers, baby cleansing products and some cream-based moisturizers where a mild foaming action is desired.
Glycereth-17 Tallowate’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
Formulators include this ingredient for two key reasons, both of which improve product performance and the user experience
- Cleansing: Its surfactant nature helps lift dirt, oil and make-up from the skin or hair so they can be rinsed away with water. Because it is derived from fatty acids and glycerin it tends to be milder than sulfate surfactants, reducing the risk of tightness or post-wash dryness
- Emulsifying: It can blend water with oils and waxes, creating stable lotions or creams. This keeps a product from separating while giving it a smooth, uniform feel on application
Who Can Use Glycereth-17 Tallowate
This ingredient is generally well tolerated by most skin types. Its mild cleansing profile makes it suitable for normal, oily and combination skin, while its glycerin content helps it feel comfortable on dry or mildly sensitive skin. People with highly reactive or allergy-prone skin should still read product labels carefully because any surfactant can cause irritation in rare cases.
Because Glycereth-17 Tallowate comes from animal fat it is not considered vegan or vegetarian friendly. Consumers who avoid animal-derived ingredients for ethical or religious reasons may want to choose plant-based alternatives instead.
The compound is not known to pose specific risks to women who are pregnant or breastfeeding when used topically in rinse-off or leave-on cosmetics. That said this information is for educational purposes only and anyone who is pregnant or nursing should discuss all skincare choices with a qualified healthcare provider before use.
Glycereth-17 Tallowate does not make skin more sensitive to sunlight and has no reported impact on sunscreen effectiveness. It is also scent-free so it does not add fragrance allergens to a formula.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Individual reactions to topical Glycereth-17 Tallowate can differ. The points below outline possible side effects but most people will not experience them when the ingredient is used at typical cosmetic levels.
- Mild skin irritation such as redness stinging or itching
- Contact dermatitis in users with a specific sensitivity to tallow derivatives or ethoxylates
- Eye irritation if the product accidentally gets into the eyes
- Clogged pores or residue build-up in very acne-prone skin when used in high-oil formulations
If any of these effects occur stop using the product and seek guidance from a healthcare professional.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 2/5. Glycereth-17 Tallowate is water soluble and rinses off easily yet it is still based on tallow fatty acids, which gives it a light oily character that might linger in very rich formulas. Most people will not notice clogged pores, but those who break out easily should watch how their skin responds. Overall it is usually fine for acne-prone users, especially in foaming cleansers where the ingredient is washed away.
Because it is an ethoxylated surfactant, any residual film is minimal compared with raw fats or heavy esters. Formulas that pair it with high levels of occlusive oils could raise the chance of congestion, so product context matters.
Summary
Glycereth-17 Tallowate serves mainly as a mild cleanser and an emulsifier. Its ethoxylated structure lowers surface tension so water can lift away dirt while the glycerin backbone helps it mix oils with water, keeping creams and washes stable and smooth.
It is a useful but niche ingredient. Many formulators still rely on plant based surfactants or synthetic alternatives, and consumers who prefer vegan products often skip it. Where animal sourced inputs are acceptable you will find it in gentle face washes, baby baths and some light lotions.
Safety reviews and decades of use show a low risk profile at cosmetic concentrations. Most users tolerate it well yet patch testing any new product is always wise to rule out personal sensitivity.