Steareth-50 is a nonionic surfactant prepared from cetyl and stearyl alcohol and 50 moles of ethylene oxide.
Steareth-50 is used in cosmetics as surfactant and emulsifier: HLB (17.7).
Steareth-50 makes it possible to create oil-in-water emulsions.
Inci name: Ceteareth-50
French name: Ceteareth-50
CAS number: 68439-49-6
Other appellations: Ceteareth-50 | Ceteareth 50
Steareth-50 is used to make cosmetics, cleaning-maintenance-laundry products, construction chemicals, coatings, inks, metalworking fluid concentrates, lubricants-greases, textile dying-finishing-impregnating products, metal surface treatment products (including those for galvanizing and electroplating), in polymerization reactions, plant protection-seed treatment products, textile and leather manufacture, and as a laboratory reagent.
Steareth-50 is permitted for use as an inert ingredient in non-food pesticide products.
Steareth-50's functions (INCI):
Cleansing : Helps to keep a clean surface
Emulsifying : Steareth-50 promotes the formation of intimate mixtures between immiscible liquids by modifying the interfacial tension (water and oil)
Surfactant : Steareth-50 reduces the surface tension of cosmetics and contributes to the even distribution of the product when it is used
Substance information about Steareth-50:
"Steareth-" refers to a PEG-(polyethylene glycol-) ether of stearyl alcohol or isostearyl alcohol.
The number behind "steareth-" refers to the average number of molecular units -CH2-CH2-O-.
Function(s) of Steareth-50 in cosmetic products:
CLEANSING:
Cleans skin, hair or teeth
GEL FORMING:
Allows the production of a gel (gelatinous, semi-solid product)
SURFACTANT - CLEANSING:
Surface-active agent to clean skin, hair and / or teeth
Description of Steareth-50:
Steareth-50 is emulsion-based cosmetic products like creams, lotions (especially sprayable lotions), foundations, hair conditioners and sunscreen products.
Steareth-50 is a chemical compound, carbon chains alkyl polyethylene glycol (PEG (Polyethylene glycol)) ether of ethoxylated fatty stearyl alcohol (50 mol), from palm kernel oils and coconut oils and fats.
Safety of Steareth-50:
The term 'eth' refers to the ethoxylation reaction with ethylene oxide after which residues of ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane, chemical compounds considered carcinogenic, may remain.
The degree of safety therefore depends on the degree of purity of the compound obtained.
At present, no manufacturer is known to provide this information on the label.
Steareth-50 may or may not be vegan.
Steareth-50 is a PEG compound of Stearic Acid, used in cosmetics.
Steareth-50 can have animal or plant sources.
What Steareth-50 is used for and where
Cosmetics
Gel former.
Steareth-50 acts as a viscosity enhancer to increase gel stability and is evenly distributed on a molecular scale as it can be engineered by the chemist at the molecular level.
Steareth-50 is definitely recommended in depilatories, foam baths.
Cleaning agent.
Ingredient that cleanses skin without exploiting the surface-active properties that produce a lowering of the surface tension of the stratum corneum.
Surfactant - Cleansing agent.
Cosmetic products used to cleanse the skin utilise the surface-active action that produces a lowering of the surface tension of the stratum corneum, facilitating the removal of dirt and impurities.
CAS: 9005-00-9 generic
Technical details of Steareth-50:
Appearance at 25ºC: Solid/Waxy flakes
Acid value mg KOH/gm max: 1
Color apha: 100
Hydroxyl value mg KOH/gm: 20-26
% Moisture content by KF: 1
pH: 6-8
Steareth-50 is a nonionic surfactant prepared from cetyl and stearyl alcohol and 50 moles of ethylene oxide.
KEYWORDS:
68439-49-6, Ceteareth-50, Steareth, Ethoxylated compound Nonionic surfactant, Octadecyl polyoxyethylene ether, PEG-100 Stearyl ether, PEG-11 Stearyl ether, PEG-13 Stearyl ether, PEG-14 Stearyl ether, PEG-15 Stearyl ether
Additional Information of Steareth-50:
Chemical Qualification: Nonionic, Emulsifiers
Synonyms: Alcohol C16 C18 ethoxylated, Fatty alcohol ethoxylate
Sources/Uses of Steareth-50:
"Permeation enhancer."
Steareth-50 is used as a surfactant.
Background information on use in cosmetics:
Polyethylene glycols (INCI: PEG-...) are poly condensation products of ethylene glycol, or polymerisation products of ethylene oxide.
The number added to the name refers to the mean number of ethylene oxide units in the substance.
The consistency of the PEG derivatives is increasingly solid with a growing degree of polymerisation.
PEGs with a mean molar mass of up to 600 g/mol are liquid, up to 1,000 g/mol wax-like and from 4,000 g/mol solid wax-like substances.
By mixing solid and liquid components, products of a creamy consistency are obtained which are used as water-free and water rinse-off bases.
With growing molar mass water solubility and hygroscopicity (ability to absorb moisture) of the polyethylene glycols decrease.
Surfactants are so-called detergent substances and have a major significance in cosmetics for the cleansing of the skin and hair.
Surfactants are substances which, based on their molecular structure, are able to reduce the surface tension of a liquid.
In this way it is possible that two actually not mixable substances, such as oil and water, can be finely mixed.
Because of their properties, surfactants have manifold uses in cosmetics: they can cleanse, produce foam and act as emulsifiers and mix substances with one another.
In shampoos, shower gels and soaps, surfactants are, for instance, used to wash fat and soil particles with water off from the body.
Surfactants are also used in toothpaste.
Here they promote during tooth cleaning the rapid and full dissolution and distribution of the paste in the mouth.
The surfactants used in cosmetic products are primarily produced synthetically on the basis of vegetable raw materials.
Surfactants are often used in combination to equally meet all desired requirements – like dissolution of soil and formation of foam in combination with a good skin tolerance – in the best possible manner.
Through a skilled combination of a surfactant – viewed on its own – with unfavourable skin tolerance but a very good soil removal property with a very mild, skin protecting surfactant altogether a product with good cleansing properties and the same good skin tolerances is obtained.
What Is Steareth-50?
The Steareth ingredients (Steareth-3, Steareth-5, Steareth-8, Steareth-14, Steareth-16, Steareth-21, Steareth-25, Steareth-27, Steareth-30, Steareth-40, Steareth-50, Steareth-80, Steareth-100, Steareth-200) are polyethylene glycol ethers of stearic acid.
They are waxy compounds.
In cosmetics and personal care products, Steareth ingredients are used in the formulation of a wide variety of cosmetics and personal care products including makeup, lotions, personal cleanliness products and deodorants, as well as suntan, fragrance, skin, eye and hair care products.
Why is Steareth-50 used in cosmetics and personal care products?
The following functions have been reported for the Steareth ingredients.
Surfactant – cleansing agent – Steareth-16, Steareth-21, Steareth-25, Steareth-27, Steareth-30, Steareth-40, Steareth-50, Steareth-80, Steareth-100
Surfactant – emulsifying agent – Steareth-3, Steareth-5, Steareth-8, Steareth-14, Steareth-16, Steareth-21
Surfactant – solubilizing agent – Steareth-21, Steareth-25, Steareth-27, Steareth-30, Steareth-40, Steareth-50, Steareth-80, Steareth-100
CAS Number: 68439-49-6
Chem/IUPAC Name: C16-18 alcohols, ethoxylated (50 mol EO average molar ratio)
COSING REF No: 75122
Steareth-50 is controversial because of its manufacturing process and low biodegradability
Chemical Properties of Steareth-50:
solid
Uses of Steareth-50:
Pharmaceutic aid (surfactant).
General Description of Steareth-50:
Steareth-50 is a surfactant that belongs to the class of polyoxyethylene ethers.
Steareth-50 is majorly used in pharmaceutical applications to improve the solubility of the drugs.
Steareth-50 can also be grafted on a variety of surfaces to enhance the intracellular uptake of dyes.
Flammability and Explosibility:
Nonflammable
Scientific Facts about Steareth-50:
The Steareth ingredients are prepared by reacting ethylene oxide with stearyl alcohol where the numerical value in the name corresponds to the average number of units of ethylene oxide.
For example, Steareth-50 is prepared using an average of 50 units of ethylene oxide reacted with stearyl alcohol.
Origin(s): Vegetal, Animal, Synthetic
INCI name: CETEARETH-50
Classification: Ethoxylated compound, Nonionic surfactant
Safety Information:
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permits fatty alcohols (including stearic alcohol) reacted with polyethylene glycol to be used as indirect food additives as components of textiles and textile fibers.
The safety the Steareth ingredients has been assessed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel as part of the review of the alkyl PEG ether group of ingredients.
The CIR Expert Panel evaluated the scientific data and concluded that the Steareth ingredients were safe for use in cosmetic products when formulated to be non-irritating.
More safety Information:
CIR Safety Review:
Based on similar structures, the CIR Expert Panel determined that the alkyl PEG ether compounds, including the Steareth ingredients could be reviewed together.
Developmental and reproductive toxicity studies as well as mutagenicity data were all negative for these compounds.
These compounds can irritate the skin.
Therefore, the CIR Expert Panel concluded that the Steareth ingredients, as well as the other alkyl PEG ether ingredients were safe as used when formulated to be nonirritating.
Small amounts of 1,4-dioxane, a by-product of ethoxylation, may be found in the Steareth ingredients.
The potential presence of this material is well known and can be controlled through purification steps to remove it from the ingredients before blending into cosmetic formulations.
Steareth-3, Steareth-5, Steareth-8, Steareth-14, Steareth-16, Steareth-21, Steareth-25, Steareth-27, Steareth-30, Steareth-40, Steareth-50, Steareth-80, Steareth-100 and Steareth-200 may be used in cosmetics and personal care products marketed in Europe according to the general provisions of the Cosmetics Regulation of the European Union.
Ingredients of animal origin must comply with European Union animal by-products regulations.
About Steareth-50:
Steareth-50 is registered under the REACH Regulation and is manufactured in and / or imported to the European Economic Area, at ≥ 1 000 tonnes per annum.
Steareth-50 is used by consumers, in articles, by professional workers (widespread uses), in formulation or re-packing, at industrial sites and in manufacturing.
Consumer Uses of Steareth-50:
Steareth-50 is used in the following products: washing & cleaning products, plant protection products, lubricants and greases, air care products, polishes and waxes and fillers, putties, plasters, modelling clay.
Other release to the environment of Steareth-50 is likely to occur from: indoor use (e.g. machine wash liquids/detergents, automotive care products, paints and coating or adhesives, fragrances and air fresheners) and outdoor use.
Article service life of Steareth-50:
Other release to the environment of Steareth-50 is likely to occur from: indoor use in long-life materials with low release rate (e.g. flooring, furniture, toys, construction materials, curtains, foot-wear, leather products, paper and cardboard products, electronic equipment), outdoor use in long-life materials with low release rate (e.g. metal, wooden and plastic construction and building materials), indoor use (e.g. machine wash liquids/detergents, automotive care products, paints and coating or adhesives, fragrances and air fresheners), outdoor use, outdoor use in long-life materials with high release rate (e.g. tyres, treated wooden products, treated textile and fabric, brake pads in trucks or cars, sanding of buildings (bridges, facades) or vehicles (ships)) and indoor use in long-life materials with high release rate (e.g. release from fabrics, textiles during washing, removal of indoor paints).
Steareth-50 can be found in complex articles, with no release intended: vehicles.
Steareth-50 can be found in products with material based on: stone, plaster, cement, glass or ceramic (e.g. dishes, pots/pans, food storage containers, construction and isolation material), plastic (e.g. food packaging and storage, toys, mobile phones) and wood (e.g. floors, furniture, toys).
Steareth-50 is intended to be released from scented: clothes.
Widespread uses by professional workers of Steareth-50:
Steareth-50 is used in the following products: washing & cleaning products, polishes and waxes and plant protection products.
Steareth-50 is used for the manufacture of: textile, leather or fur.
Other release to the environment of Steareth-50 is likely to occur from: indoor use (e.g. machine wash liquids/detergents, automotive care products, paints and coating or adhesives, fragrances and air fresheners) and outdoor use.
Formulation or re-packing of Steareth-50:
Steareth-50 is used in the following products: lubricants and greases, washing & cleaning products, textile treatment products and dyes, metal working fluids and cosmetics and personal care products.
Release to the environment of Steareth-50 can occur from industrial use: formulation of mixtures.
Uses at industrial sites of Steareth-50:
Steareth-50 is used in the following products: washing & cleaning products, metal surface treatment products, textile treatment products and dyes, polymers, pH regulators and water treatment products, lubricants and greases and leather treatment products.
Steareth-50 is used for the manufacture of: textile, leather or fur.
Release to the environment of Steareth-50 can occur from industrial use: in processing aids at industrial sites and in the production of articles.
Manufacture of Steareth-50:
Release to the environment of Steareth-50 can occur from industrial use: manufacturing of the substance.
Synonyms:
2-(Octadecyloxy)ethanol [ACD/IUPAC Name]
2-(Octadecyloxy)ethanol [German] [ACD/IUPAC Name]
2-(Octadécyloxy)éthanol [French] [ACD/IUPAC Name]
218-374-0 [EINECS]
2-Octadecoxyethanol
9005-00-9 [RN]
Ethanol, 2-(octadecyloxy)- [ACD/Index Name]
Ethanol,2-(octadecyloxy)-
[2136-72-3] [RN]
2-(2-(Octadecyloxy)ethoxy)ethanol
2-(octadecyloxy) ethanol
2-(octadecyloxy)ethan-1-ol
2-(octadecyloxy)-ethanol
2-Octadecyloxyethanol
3,6,9,12,15,18,21-Heptaoxanonatriacontan-1-ol [ACD/Index Name] [ACD/IUPAC Name]
Brij 72
brij(r) s10
brij(r) s100
brij(r) s2
brij(r) s20
brij(r) s721
C18E1
Ethanol, 2-(2-(octadecyloxy)ethoxy)-
Ethoxylated Stearyl Alcohols 2
Ethoxylated Stearyl Alcohols 20
Ethylene glycol monooctadecyl ether
MFCD00043351 [MDL number]
OCTADECYL, [3H] GLYCOL
Octadecylglycol
POE (10) stearyl alcohol ether
Polyethylene glycol octadecyl ether
Steareth-100
Steareth-11
Steareth-13
Steareth-14
Steareth-15
Steareth-16
Steareth-2
Steareth-20
Steareth-21
Steareth-25
Steareth-27
Steareth-30
Steareth-40
Steareth-50
Steareth-7
2-octadecoxyethanol (peg-50)
peg-50 stearyl ether
poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-octadecyl-.omega.-hydroxy- (50 mol EO average molar ratio)
polyethylene glycol (50) stearyl ether
polyoxyethylene (50) stearyl alcohol ether
polyoxyethylene (50) stearyl ether
Synonyms:
Octadecyl polyoxyethylene ether
PEG-100 Stearyl ether
PEG-11 Stearyl ether
PEG-13 Stearyl ether
PEG-14 Stearyl ether
PEG-15 Stearyl ether
PEG-16 Stearyl ether
PEG-2 Stearyl ether
PEG-20 Stearyl ether
PEG-21 Stearyl ether
PEG-25 Stearyl ether
PEG-27 Stearyl ether
PEG-30 Stearyl ether
PEG-40 Stearyl ether
PEG-50 Stearyl ether
PEG-7 Stearyl ether
Polyethylene glycol (100) stearyl ether
Polyethylene glycol (11) stearyl ether
Polyethylene glycol (13) stearyl ether
Polyethylene glycol (14) stearyl ether
Polyethylene glycol (15) stearyl ether
Polyethylene glycol (16) stearyl ether
Polyethylene glycol (21) stearyl ether
Polyethylene glycol (25) stearyl ether
Polyethylene glycol (27) stearyl ether
Polyethylene glycol (30) stearyl ether
Polyethylene glycol (50) stearyl ether
Polyethylene glycol (7) stearyl ether
Polyethylene glycol 1000 stearyl ether
Polyethylene glycol 2000 stearyl ether
Polyoxyethylene (100) stearyl ether
Polyoxyethylene (11) stearyl ether
Polyoxyethylene (13) stearyl ether
Polyoxyethylene (14) stearyl ether
Polyoxyethylene (15) stearyl ether
Polyoxyethylene (16) stearyl ether
Polyoxyethylene (2) stearyl ether
Polyoxyethylene (20) stearyl ether
Polyoxyethylene (21) stearyl ether
Polyoxyethylene (25) stearyl ether
Polyoxyethylene (27) stearyl ether
Polyoxyethylene (30) stearyl ether
Polyoxyethylene (40) stearyl ether
Polyoxyethylene (50) stearyl ether
Polyoxyethylene (7) stearyl ether
Steareth-100
Steareth-11
Steareth-13
Steareth-14
Steareth-15
Steareth-16
Steareth-2
Steareth-20
Steareth-21
Steareth-25
Steareth-27
Steareth-30
Steareth-40
Steareth-50
Polyethylene glycol monostearyl ether
Polyoxyethylated stearyl alcohol
Stearyl alcohol EO (10)
Stearyl alcohol EO (20)
Stearyl alcohol ethylene oxide (2)
Stearyl alcohol, ethoxylated
Stereal alcohol EO (2)
Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha-octadecyl-omega-hydroxy-
Stearyl alcohol condensed with 20 moles ethylene oxide
Stearyl alcohol condensed with l0 moles ethylene oxide
Stearyl alcohol, condensed with 2 moles ethylene oxide
Polyoxyethylene monooctadecyl ether
PEG stearyl ether
Octadecan-1-ol, ethoxylated
Brij 72
Volpo S2
Volpo S2A