What Is Oleth-24?
Oleth-24 is a synthetic compound made by reacting oleyl alcohol, a fatty alcohol derived from natural fats and oils, with about twenty-four units of ethylene oxide. The result is a clear to pale-yellow liquid that belongs to a family of ingredients called ethoxylated alcohols. These materials have been in use since the mid-20th century when chemists were looking for gentle yet effective cleaners for personal care products. Industrial production blends the fatty alcohol with ethylene oxide under carefully controlled heat and pressure, then purifies the mixture to remove unwanted by-products.
Because of its ability to mix oil and water, Oleth-24 shows up in a range of cosmetics. You will most often find it in facial cleansers, makeup removers, body washes, exfoliating scrubs, micellar waters and some shampoo formulas. It can also appear in masks and pre-shave treatments where a mild but thorough cleansing action is needed.
Oleth-24’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
In skincare and haircare formulas Oleth-24 serves a single key role.
As a cleansing agent it lowers the surface tension between dirt or sebum and the skin so they can be rinsed away more easily. This gives products a softer lather, boosts rinse-off, helps remove makeup without harsh rubbing and leaves skin feeling fresh rather than stripped.
Who Can Use Oleth-24
Oleth-24 is generally suitable for normal, oily and combination skin because it dissolves excess sebum without leaving a heavy residue. Dry or sensitized skin may find frequent use a bit dehydrating since any surfactant can disturb the skin’s moisture balance if overused.
The ingredient is synthetic and not sourced from animals, making it acceptable for most vegan and vegetarian lifestyles. As always, check the full formula because other ingredients in the product might not follow the same standard.
No data links Oleth-24 to hormonal effects, so it is not currently flagged as a concern for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. That said, this is not medical advice and anyone expecting or nursing should review new skincare with a qualified healthcare provider before use to stay on the safe side.
Oleth-24 does not increase photosensitivity, so routine sun exposure precautions are unchanged when using products that contain it.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Reactions to topical Oleth-24 differ from person to person. The following list outlines possible side effects but most users will not experience them when the ingredient is included at typical cosmetic levels and formulated correctly.
- Mild skin dryness or tightness
- Temporary irritation such as redness or stinging, especially on compromised skin
- Eye irritation if the product gets into the eyes
- Allergic contact dermatitis in individuals sensitive to ethoxylated ingredients
If any of these effects occur discontinue use immediately and seek advice from a healthcare professional if symptoms persist or worsen.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 1/5
Oleth-24 is a water-soluble surfactant that tends to rinse clean without leaving an oily film, which keeps pore-clogging potential low. Its fatty chain is heavily ethoxylated, making the molecule more hydrophilic and less likely to linger on skin compared with traditional fatty alcohols that score higher on comedogenic scales.
Because of this low score, Oleth-24 is generally considered suitable for people who are prone to acne or breakouts.
Comedogenicity can rise slightly if the ingredient is used in a leave-on formula, but it is almost always found in cleansers that are washed off within minutes, further reducing any risk.
Summary
Oleth-24’s main job is cleansing. It loosens oil, dirt and makeup by lowering surface tension, allowing them to be rinsed away quickly while leaving skin feeling soft rather than stripped.
Although effective, Oleth-24 is not a marquee name. It sits quietly behind better-known surfactants like sodium lauryl sulfate and cocamidopropyl betaine, yet formulators still reach for it when they want a mild helper that boosts makeup removal and rinse-off.
Most safety assessments classify Oleth-24 as low risk when used at normal cosmetic levels, with only occasional reports of irritation. Still, everyone’s skin is different so patch testing any new product that contains Oleth-24 is a smart habit.