Is Steareth-2 safe in cosmetics?
Steareth-2 has a safety rating of "GOOD" in our database. EU status: restricted. US status: permitted.
Steareth-2
INCI: STEARETH-2
Steareth-2 (CAS 16057-43-5) is a cosmetic uv filter / sunscreen functioning as Emulsifier, surfactant. EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: restricted, max 10%. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 16057-43-5 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Function
Emulsifier, surfactant
Safety Rating
GOOD
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
restricted
EU Max Conc.
10%
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
Permitted in the US under the FD&C Act; FDA does not pre-approve cosmetic ingredients. No specific FDA restrictions apply to Steareth-2. FDA VCRP data shows use in 593 formulations (2010). FDA recommends manufacturers limit 1,4-dioxane contamination via vacuum stripping during production. CIR Expert Panel concluded safe as used (1988, reaffirmed 2012).
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Steareth-2.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Additional Ingredient Properties
5 property records from structured ingredient metadata.
emulsifier
{"cas_number": "9005-00-9", "ingredient_class": "O/W_emulsifier", "chemical_type": "ethoxylated_fatty_alcohol", "HLB_value": "4.0", "HLB_required_for_oil_phase": "2-6", "emulsion_type_primary": "O/W", "droplet_size_typical_um": "2-5", "surface_tension_reduction_mN_m": "20", "interfacial_tension_reduction": "25", "foam_formation": "moderate", "foam_stability": "moderate", "liquid_crystal_formation"…
emulsion_hlb
{"hlb_value": "4.9", "hlb_required_as_emulsifier": "yes", "emulsifier_type": "w_o", "critical_packing_parameter": "0.60-0.80", "emulsion_stabilization_mechanism": "steric_stabilization", "co_emulsifier_pairs": "cetyl_dimethicone", "optimal_oil_phase_pct": "65-88", "optimal_water_phase_pct": "12-35", "electrolyte_tolerance": "moderate", "pH_emulsion_stability_range": "4.0-10.0", "viscosity_building…
solubility_hlb
{"water_soluble": "no", "oil_soluble": "yes", "hlb_value": "4.9", "soluble_in": "oils, ethanol", "insoluble_in": "water, glycerin", "log_p": "4.1", "melting_point_c": "38-42", "appearance": "white flakes", "source": "Croda"}
surfactant
{"cas_number": "9005-00-9", "surfactant_type": "nonionic", "chemical_class": "ethoxylate", "charge_at_use_ph": "neutral", "cmc_critical_micelle_concentration_mm": "0.047104917600216484", "hlb_value": "11.0", "foam_volume_ml_ross_miles": "88", "foam_quality": "airy", "foam_stability_5min_pct": "65", "cleansing_power_rating_1_to_10": "5.257010121083008", "oil_emulsification_capacity": "good", "sebum…
uv_stability
{"uv_stable": "yes", "uv_degradation_rate": "stable", "photosensitizer": "no", "phototoxic": "no", "photoallergic": "no", "requires_uv_protection_packaging": "no", "color_change_uv": "no", "odor_change_uv": "no", "efficacy_loss_uv_pct": "0", "spf_contribution": "no", "uva_protection": "no", "uvb_protection": "no", "photostable_sunscreen": "no", "boost_spf_of_others": "no", "antioxidant_under_uv": …
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Defoamer
Emulsifier
Surfactant (surface active agent)
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Steareth-2.
Regulatory Flags
eu-unrestricted
cir-approved
no-sccs-opinion
non-sensitizing
Chemical Function
Emulsifier
Surfactant (surface active agent)
Defoamer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Steareth-2 allowed in the EU?
Steareth-2 EU regulatory status: restricted. Maximum allowed concentration: 10%. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Steareth-2 do in cosmetics?
Steareth-2 functions as: Emulsifier, surfactant. It is classified as a UV Filter / Sunscreen in our database. CAS number: 16057-43-5.
Compliance Tools
Check Steareth-2 compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
Ingredient Decoder
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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
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