Is Ceteth-20 safe in cosmetics?
Ceteth-20 has a safety rating of "GOOD" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted. 1 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database.
Ceteth-20
Also known as: Hexadecylpoly(ethyleneoxy)ethanol, Oxyethylenated hexadecyl alcohol, Polyethylene glycol cetyl ether, Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha-hexadecyl-omega-hydroxy-, Cetomacrogol (+14 more)
INCI: CETETH-20
Ceteth-20 (CAS 9004-95-9) is a cosmetic emulsifier functioning as Nonionic O/W emulsifier, solubilizer, cleansing agent. Reported NOAEL =300 mg/kg bw/day in Rat (ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID); EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database. Same-CAS public records also appear in industrial chemical safety data.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 9004-95-9 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Cross-Vertical Regulatory Divergence
Ceteth-20 is classified GHS Danger (H315, H302, H318) in the chemicals database but is allowed in EU cosmetics.
Source: Cosmetics: ingredients.eu_status; Chemicals: ghs_classifications.signal_word/hazard_statement_code
Function
Nonionic O/W emulsifier, solubilizer, cleansing agent
Safety Rating
GOOD
Chemistry & Identifiers
IUPAC Name
2-[2-[2-[2-[2-[2-[2-[2-[2-[2-[2-[2-[2-[2-[2-[2-[2-[2-[2-(2-hexadecoxyethoxy)ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]ethoxy]ethanol
InChIKey
NLMKTBGFQGKQEV-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
CIR safe as used with caveat — should not be used on damaged skin. Control 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide.
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Ceteth-20.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Toxicological Studies
1 study endpoint found for Ceteth-20. NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) values are used to calculate the Margin of Safety per SCCS methodology.
| Endpoint | Value | Route | Species | Study Type | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOAEL | =300 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Rat | reproduction developmental | ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID |
ECHA REACH Registration
European Chemicals Agency REACH dossier and Substances of Very High Concern listing.
Registration Type
Full
Tonnage Band
100 - 1,000 tonnes
Substance Type
SUBSTANCE
SVHC Candidate
No
Additional Ingredient Properties
7 property records from structured ingredient metadata.
comedogenicity_detail
{"comedogenicity_rating": "2", "irritancy_rating": "1", "skin_type_suitability": "dry,combination,normal", "acne_safe": "caution", "source": "Emulsifier"}
emulsifier
{"cas_number": "9004-95-9", "ingredient_class": "O/W_emulsifier", "chemical_type": "ethoxylated_fatty_alcohol", "HLB_value": "7.8", "HLB_required_for_oil_phase": "6-10", "emulsion_type_primary": "O/W", "droplet_size_typical_um": "0.5-2", "critical_micelle_concentration_pct": "0.001-0.05", "surface_tension_reduction_mN_m": "27", "interfacial_tension_reduction": "32", "foam_formation": "moderate", "…
emulsion_hlb
{"hlb_value": "15.7", "hlb_required_as_emulsifier": "yes", "emulsifier_type": "o_w", "critical_packing_parameter": "0.22-0.32", "phase_inversion_temperature_c": "80-88", "emulsion_stabilization_mechanism": "steric_stabilization", "co_emulsifier_pairs": "cetearyl_alcohol,glyceryl_stearate", "optimal_oil_phase_pct": "5-15", "optimal_water_phase_pct": "85-95", "electrolyte_tolerance": "low", "pH_emul…
regulatory
{"eu_status": "allowed", "us_status": "allowed"}
sensory
{"silky": "waxy", "smooth, glides easily": "smooth, emulsifies", "dry-touch, non-greasy": "soft, conditioned", "instant": "moderate", "low": "medium", "w/o": "o/w", "very-high": "moderate", "no": "yes", "yes": "no", "1.40": "1.46", "transparent": "opaque", "colorless": "white", "excellent": "fair", "light": "medium", "synthetic": "synthetic"}
solubility_hlb
{"water_soluble": "yes", "oil_soluble": "partial", "hlb_value": "15.7", "soluble_in": "water, ethanol, propylene glycol", "insoluble_in": "oils", "log_p": "0.0", "melting_point_c": "35-38", "appearance": "white flakes", "source": "BASF"}
surfactant
{"cas_number": "9004-95-9", "surfactant_type": "nonionic", "chemical_class": "ethoxylate", "charge_at_use_ph": "neutral", "cmc_critical_micelle_concentration_mm": "0.05758898341522001", "hlb_value": "20.0", "foam_volume_ml_ross_miles": "102", "foam_quality": "airy", "foam_stability_5min_pct": "63", "cleansing_power_rating_1_to_10": "6.132674698229575", "oil_emulsification_capacity": "good", "sebum…
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Cleaning agent
Emulsifier
Surfactant (surface active agent)
Wetting agent (non-aqueous)
Regulatory List Membership (2)
EPA Safer Chemical Ingredients List (SCIL)
FDA Indirect Food Contact Additives
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Ceteth-20.
Regulatory Flags
Environmental
epa_safer_alternative
NOAEL Studies Summary
View details ->Public NOAEL study rows linked to Ceteth-20 by CAS number or substance name.
Studies
1
Lowest NOAEL
300 mg/kg bw/day
Highest NOAEL
300 mg/kg bw/day
ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID
Known Synonyms
Hexadecylpoly(ethyleneoxy)ethanol
Oxyethylenated hexadecyl alcohol
Polyethylene glycol cetyl ether
Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha-hexadecyl-omega-hydroxy-
Cetomacrogol
Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-hexadecyl-.omega.-hydroxy-
Cetyl poly(oxyethylene) ether
Ethosperse CL20
Hexadecylpoly(ethyleneoxy) ethanol
Polyethylene glycols monohexadecyl ether
Poly(oxyethylene)cetyl ether
Poly(oxyethylene)hexadecyl ether
Poly(oxyethylene)monocetyl ether
Poly(oxyethylene)palmityl ether
alpha-Hexadecyl-omega-hydroxy-poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl)
alpha-Hydroxy-omega-cetylpoly(ethylene oxide)
Cetomacrogolum 1000
UNII-I835H2IHHX
UNII-LF9X1PN3XJ
Chemical Function
Surfactant (surface active agent)
Regulatory Lists
Europe; Personal care - liniment
pharmaceutical
SCIL (9/2019)
Indirect additives food contact (10/2018)
inert_ingredient; Pesticides
inert_ingredient; non_food_use; Pesticides
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ceteth-20 allowed in the EU?
Ceteth-20 EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Ceteth-20 do in cosmetics?
Ceteth-20 functions as: Nonionic O/W emulsifier, solubilizer, cleansing agent. It is classified as a Emulsifier in our database. CAS number: 9004-95-9.
What is the NOAEL for Ceteth-20?
The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for Ceteth-20 is =300 mg/kg bw/day based on a reproduction developmental study via oral route in Rat. Source: ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID.
Is Ceteth-20 used outside cosmetics?
Ceteth-20 also appears in industrial chemical safety data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Does Ceteth-20 have different safety status in cosmetics vs industrial chemicals?
Ceteth-20 is classified GHS Danger (H315, H302, H318) in the chemicals database but is allowed in EU cosmetics.
Compliance Tools
Check Ceteth-20 compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
Ingredient Decoder
Paste a full ingredient list for instant analysis
82 Allergen Checker
Check for EU declarable fragrance allergens
Substance Compliance
Check compliance across multiple jurisdictions
MoS Calculator
Calculate Margin of Safety using SCCS methodology
Heavy Metal Limits
Compare limits across jurisdictions
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