Is Oleth-10 safe in cosmetics?
Oleth-10 has a safety rating of "GOOD" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted.
Good
Surfactant
Oleth-10
Also known as: Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha-(9Z)-9-octadecenyl-omega-hydroxy, (Z)-9-Octadecen-1-ol ethoxylated, Brij 98, ETHOXYLATED OLEYL ALCOHOL, Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-(9Z)-9-octadecen-1-yl-.omega.-hydroxy- (+15 more)
INCI: OLETH-10
Oleth-10 (CAS 9004-98-2) is a cosmetic surfactant functioning as Emulsifying, Surfactant, Solubilizing, Penetration Enhancer. 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 9004-98-2 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Cross-Vertical Regulatory Divergence
Oleth-10 is classified GHS Danger (H302, H318, H319) in the chemicals database but is allowed in EU cosmetics.
Source: Cosmetics: ingredients.eu status; Chemicals: ghs classifications.signal word/hazard statement code
Function
Emulsifying, Surfactant, Solubilizing, Penetration Enhancer
Safety Rating
GOOD
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
CIR safe use levels: 0.2-6.0%. CIR reaffirmed 2025: safe when formulated to be nonirritating.
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Oleth-10.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
ECHA REACH Registration
European Chemicals Agency REACH dossier and Substances of Very High Concern listing.
Registration Type
Full
Tonnage Band
10 - 100 tonnes
Substance Type
SUBSTANCE
SVHC Candidate
No
Additional Ingredient Properties
4 property records from structured ingredient metadata.
emulsifier
{"cas_number": "9004-98-2", "ingredient_class": "O/W_emulsifier", "chemical_type": "ethoxylated_fatty_alcohol", "HLB_value": "6.0", "HLB_required_for_oil_phase": "4-8", "emulsion_type_primary": "O/W", "droplet_size_typical_um": "2-5", "surface_tension_reduction_mN_m": "25", "interfacial_tension_reduction": "29", "foam_formation": "moderate", "foam_stability": "low", "liquid_crystal_formation": "mo…
emulsion_hlb
{"hlb_value": "12.4", "hlb_required_as_emulsifier": "yes", "emulsifier_type": "o_w", "critical_packing_parameter": "0.25-0.35", "phase_inversion_temperature_c": "75-82", "emulsion_stabilization_mechanism": "steric_stabilization", "co_emulsifier_pairs": "oleyl_alcohol", "optimal_oil_phase_pct": "6-18", "optimal_water_phase_pct": "82-94", "electrolyte_tolerance": "moderate", "pH_emulsion_stability_r…
solubility_hlb
{"water_soluble": "partial", "oil_soluble": "yes", "hlb_value": "12.4", "soluble_in": "water, oils, ethanol", "insoluble_in": "glycerin", "log_p": "1.0", "appearance": "amber liquid", "source": "Croda"}
surfactant
{"cas_number": "9004-98-2", "surfactant_type": "nonionic", "chemical_class": "ethoxylate", "charge_at_use_ph": "neutral", "cmc_critical_micelle_concentration_mm": "0.039406579987040974", "hlb_value": "15.0", "foam_volume_ml_ross_miles": "100", "foam_quality": "airy", "foam_stability_5min_pct": "64", "cleansing_power_rating_1_to_10": "6.132188026052565", "oil_emulsification_capacity": "good", "sebu…
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Cleaning agent
Emulsifier
Fragrance
Surfactant (surface active agent)
Regulatory List Membership (3)
IFRA Fragrance Transparency List
EPA Safer Chemical Ingredients List (SCIL)
FDA Indirect Food Contact Additives
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Oleth-10.
Regulatory Flags
NEW_REGULATION
epa_safer_alternative
ifra_fragrance
Known Synonyms
Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha-(9Z)-9-octadecenyl-omega-hydroxy
(Z)-9-Octadecen-1-ol ethoxylated
Brij 98
ETHOXYLATED OLEYL ALCOHOL
Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-(9Z)-9-octadecen-1-yl-.omega.-hydroxy-
alpha-Alkyl-omega-hydroxypoly(oxypropylene) and/or poly(oxyethylene) polymers where the alkyl chain contains a minimum of six carbons, minimum number average molecular weight (in amu) 1,100
Polyoxyethylene (20) oleylether
Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha-(9Z)-9-octadecen-1-yl-omega-hydroxy-
Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha-(9Z)-9-octadecenyl-omega-hydroxy-
Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha-9-octadecenyl-omega-hydroxy-, (Z)-
Amerox OE-20
BRIJ 96((10) oleyl)
BRIJ 98((20) oleyl)
BRIJ 92((2)-oleyl)
Decaethoxy oleyl ether
Emulphor
Emulphor ON-870
Emulphor surfactants
Lipal 20-OA
Lipocol O-20
Chemical Function
Surfactant (surface active agent)
Regulatory Lists
consumer_product; Europe
Indirect additives food contact (10/2018)
IFRA Transparency
inert_ingredient; non_food_use; Pesticides
SCIL (9/2019)
inert_ingredient; Pesticides
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oleth-10 allowed in the EU?
Oleth-10 EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Oleth-10 do in cosmetics?
Oleth-10 functions as: Emulsifying, Surfactant, Solubilizing, Penetration Enhancer. It is classified as a Surfactant in our database. CAS number: 9004-98-2.
Is Oleth-10 used outside cosmetics?
Oleth-10 also appears in industrial chemical safety data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Does Oleth-10 have different safety status in cosmetics vs industrial chemicals?
Oleth-10 is classified GHS Danger (H302, H318, H319) in the chemicals database but is allowed in EU cosmetics.
Compliance Tools
Check Oleth-10 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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