Is Steareth-20 safe in cosmetics?
Steareth-20 has a safety rating of "GOOD" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted.
Good
Emulsifier
Steareth-20
Also known as: Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha-octadecyl-omega-hydroxy-, Brij S2, 1-Octadecanol, monoether with polyethylene glycol, Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-octadecyl-.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 (+14 more)
INCI: STEARETH-20
Steareth-20 (CAS 9005-00-9) is a cosmetic emulsifier functioning as Nonionic O/W emulsifier, surfactant, solubilizer. 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 9005-00-9 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Cross-Vertical Regulatory Divergence
Steareth-20 is classified GHS Danger (H302, H315, H318, H400, H411, H312, H332) 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, surfactant, solubilizer
Safety Rating
GOOD
Chemistry & Identifiers
IUPAC Name
2-octadecoxyethanol
InChIKey
ICIDSZQHPUZUHC-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
CIR safe as used (1988, reaffirmed 2006). 1,4-dioxane must be <10 ppm.
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-20.
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
1,000 - 10,000 tonnes
Substance Type
SUBSTANCE
SVHC Candidate
No
Additional Ingredient Properties
10 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"}
ecotoxicity
{"biodegradable": "partial", "biodegradation_days": "120-240", "bioaccumulative": "yes", "aquatic_toxicity_level": "low", "coral_reef_safe": "unknown", "marine_toxicity": "low-moderate toxicity", "freshwater_toxicity": "moderate persistence", "endocrine_disruptor": "no", "persistent_organic_pollutant": "no", "microplastic": "no", "nano_particle": "no", "hawaii_banned": "no", "eu_restricted_environ…
emulsifier
{"cas_number": "9005-00-9", "ingredient_class": "O/W_emulsifier", "chemical_type": "ethoxylated_fatty_alcohol", "HLB_value": "6.5", "HLB_required_for_oil_phase": "5-9", "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": "26", "interfacial_tension_reduction": "31", "foam_formation": "moderate", "f…
emulsion_hlb
{"hlb_value": "15.3", "hlb_required_as_emulsifier": "yes", "emulsifier_type": "o_w", "critical_packing_parameter": "0.22-0.32", "phase_inversion_temperature_c": "82-90", "emulsion_stabilization_mechanism": "steric_stabilization", "co_emulsifier_pairs": "glyceryl_stearate,cetearyl_alcohol", "optimal_oil_phase_pct": "5-15", "optimal_water_phase_pct": "85-95", "electrolyte_tolerance": "low", "pH_emul…
pediatric_safety
{"safe_for_newborn_0_6m": "caution", "safe_for_infant_6_12m": "yes", "safe_for_toddler_1_3y": "yes", "safe_for_child_3_12y": "yes", "safe_for_teen_12_18y": "yes", "pediatric_max_concentration_pct": "5.0", "adult_max_concentration_pct": "5.0", "pediatric_dermal_absorption_factor": "moderate", "immature_skin_barrier_risk": "low", "oral_ingestion_risk": "low", "eye_irritation_risk": "low", "diaper_ar…
regulatory
{"eu_status": "allowed", "us_status": "allowed"}
sensory
{"silky": "waxy", "smooth, glides easily": "smooth, emulsifies", "dry-touch, non-greasy": "soft, smooth", "instant": "moderate", "low": "high", "w/o": "o/w", "very-high": "moderate", "no": "yes", "yes": "no", "light-diffusing": "matte", "1.40": "1.46", "transparent": "opaque", "colorless": "white", "excellent": "fair", "light": "medium", "synthetic": "synthetic"}
solubility_hlb
{"water_soluble": "yes", "oil_soluble": "partial", "hlb_value": "15.3", "soluble_in": "water, ethanol, propylene glycol", "insoluble_in": "oils", "log_p": "0.1", "melting_point_c": "38-42", "appearance": "white flakes", "source": "Croda"}
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Cleaning agent
Defoamer
Emulsifier
Solubility enhancer
Surfactant (surface active agent)
Wetting agent (non-aqueous)
Regulatory List Membership (3)
EU Restricted for Children (Cosmetics)
EPA Safer Chemical Ingredients List (SCIL)
FDA Indirect Food Contact Additives
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Steareth-20.
Regulatory Flags
Environmental
eu_children_restricted
epa_safer_alternative
Known Synonyms
Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha-octadecyl-omega-hydroxy-
Brij S2
1-Octadecanol, monoether with polyethylene glycol
Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-octadecyl-.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
Polyethylene glycol stearyl ether
Brij 72
A 20
Stearyl alcohol EO
Stearyl alcohol ethylene oxide
Stereal alcohol EO
UNII-L0Q8IK9E08
UNII-36ALR4705B
UNII-4OH5W9UM87
UNII-51J36A59E0
UNII-9059AI827W
UNII-53J3F32P58
UNII-5776GCL1DG
UNII-P179NA677N
Chemical Function
Surfactant (surface active agent)
Emulsifier
Regulatory Lists
Indirect additives food contact (10/2018)
inert_ingredient; non_food_use; Pesticides
inert_ingredient; Pesticides
SCIL (9/2019)
Europe; Personal care - body hygiene - hand soap
children; Europe; Personal care
children; Europe; Personal care
Europe; Personal care - liniment
children; Europe; Personal care
children; Europe; Personal care - dental care - toothpaste
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Steareth-20 allowed in the EU?
Steareth-20 EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Steareth-20 do in cosmetics?
Steareth-20 functions as: Nonionic O/W emulsifier, surfactant, solubilizer. It is classified as a Emulsifier in our database. CAS number: 9005-00-9.
Is Steareth-20 used outside cosmetics?
Steareth-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 Steareth-20 have different safety status in cosmetics vs industrial chemicals?
Steareth-20 is classified GHS Danger (H302, H315, H318, H400, H411, H312, H332) in the chemicals database but is allowed in EU cosmetics.
Compliance Tools
Check Steareth-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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