Ceteareth-16 is a reliable emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but it may be slightly irritating for very sensitive skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
Beauty ingredient research
Browse the review database to understand what an ingredient is, what it does in a beauty formula, when it is useful, and when it deserves caution across skincare, haircare, bodycare, makeup, and more.
20769
Reviewed ingredients
524
Low-concern standouts
2884
Need usage caution
Ceteareth-16 is a reliable emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but it may be slightly irritating for very sensitive skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
Ceteareth-17 is a reliable emulsifier that helps keep formulas stable, but it may be less common in modern 'clean' beauty due to its synthetic origin.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Ceteareth-18 is a reliable emulsifier that helps keep your creams and lotions smooth and stable, but it may be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane during manufacturing.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Ceteareth-2 is a gentle emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy textures in skincare, but it may be derived from ethylene oxide, which concerns some consumers.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in cleansers and creams, with a low risk of irritation.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A reliable emulsifier that helps your skincare products feel smooth and mix well, but it's synthetic and may be too heavy for very oily skin.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A reliable emulsifier that keeps your creams and lotions smooth and stable, with a low risk of irritation.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A reliable emulsifier that helps water and oil mix, making creams and lotions stable and smooth.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Ceteareth-24 is a synthetic emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in products, generally considered safe and low-irritation for most skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Ceteareth-25 is a reliable emulsifier that helps create smooth, stable lotions and creams, but it may be drying for very sensitive skin.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle cleansing and emulsifying ingredient that helps blend oil and water in skincare products, with a low risk of irritation.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
Ceteareth-27 is a gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in creams and cleansers, with a low risk of irritation.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Ceteareth-28 is a gentle emulsifier that helps water and oil mix in your skincare, making creams and cleansers smooth and stable without harshness.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
Ceteareth-29 is a gentle, synthetic emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in creams and lotions, with a low risk of irritation.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Ceteareth-3 is a reliable emulsifier that helps create smooth, stable creams and lotions with low irritation potential.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
Ceteareth-30 is a gentle emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in creams and cleansers, with a low risk of irritation.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
Ceteareth-33 is a synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but it can be mildly irritating for sensitive skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A reliable synthetic emulsifier that helps keep your lotions and creams smooth and stable, but may be too heavy for very oily skin.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A reliable emulsifier that helps keep your lotions and creams smooth, but may be too heavy for very oily skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle emulsifier and surfactant that helps blend oil and water in cleansers and creams, with low irritation potential.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
Ceteareth-40 is a reliable emulsifier that helps create smooth, stable creams and lotions, but it may be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane in its raw form.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Ceteareth-5 is a gentle emulsifier that helps keep your lotions and creams smooth and stable, but it may contain trace impurities from its manufacturing process.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, phosphate-based emulsifier that helps blend water and oil without stripping the skin, making it a good choice for sensitive skin formulations.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
Ceteareth-50 is a reliable emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in creams and cleansers, but it may be slightly irritating for very sensitive skin.
Irritation
moderate
Source
semi-synthetic
Ceteareth-55 is a reliable emulsifier that keeps creams and lotions smooth, but it's synthetic and may be a minor concern for very sensitive skin.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Ceteareth-6 is a gentle emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in your skincare, but it may be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane during manufacturing, so look for purified versions.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, olive-derived emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy formulas without stripping the skin.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
Ceteareth-60 is a reliable synthetic emulsifier that helps mix water and oil, but it may be too rich for very oily or acne-prone skin in high concentrations.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A reliable emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy textures, but may feel heavy on very oily skin.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Ceteareth-7 is a gentle emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in skincare products, with a low risk of irritation or clogged pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle emulsifier that keeps creams and lotions smooth and stable, with a low risk of irritation.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
Ceteareth-8 is a gentle emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in your products, but it may be contaminated with trace levels of 1,4-dioxane, a potential impurity to watch for.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
Ceteareth-80 is a reliable emulsifier that helps products feel smooth, but it may cause irritation for sensitive skin types.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
Ceteareth-9 is a reliable emulsifier that helps products feel smooth, but it may cause irritation for sensitive skin due to its surfactant nature.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A gentle conditioning ingredient that reduces static and softens hair, but may cause mild irritation for sensitive scalps.
Irritation
moderate
Source
synthetic
A safe, non-drying fatty alcohol that makes creams and lotions feel smooth and creamy without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, plant-derived emollient that makes creams feel silky without clogging pores or irritating sensitive skin.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, plant-based wax that gives products a smooth, creamy feel without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle silicone that improves product feel and skin softness with a very low risk of irritation or clogged pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle silicone that improves product feel and wear without clogging pores or causing irritation.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Film Former
CETEARYL DIMETHICONE/VINYL DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER
A gentle silicone polymer that creates a smooth, silky feel on skin and hair without clogging pores or causing irritation.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A lightweight, silky emollient that softens skin without clogging pores, making it a favorite for non-greasy formulas.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle conditioning ingredient that helps soften hair and reduce static without heavy buildup.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A mild, plant-derived emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy textures without stripping the skin.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle silicone that smooths skin and hair without feeling heavy, making it a popular choice for lightweight formulas.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A lightweight, non-greasy emollient that helps skin feel soft and smooth without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
A gentle, olive-derived emulsifier that stabilizes formulas and softens skin, ideal for sensitive and dry skin types.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, plant-based emollient that helps moisturizers feel silky without clogging pores or irritating sensitive skin.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, waxy emollient that helps creams feel silky and spread smoothly without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A mild emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy formulas without stripping the skin.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, plant-based emollient that softens skin and improves product feel without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Cetearyl Stearate is a gentle, waxy ingredient that helps creams feel rich and smooth without clogging pores.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, plant-based emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy textures without harsh chemicals.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
A gentle, eco-friendly emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy textures without common irritation.
Irritation
low
Source
natural
Ceteth-1 is a gentle emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in cleansers and lotions, but it is not a star active ingredient.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
Ceteth-10 is a gentle emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in cleansers and creams, with a low risk of irritation.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle, phosphate-based emulsifier that helps water and oil mix without stripping the skin, making it a solid choice for mild cleansers and lotions.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
Ceteth-10 Stearate is a gentle emulsifier that helps create stable, creamy textures in skincare products with a low risk of irritation.
Irritation
low
Source
semi-synthetic
A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water, but may be too heavy for very sensitive or acne-prone skin in high concentrations.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic
Ceteth-13 is a gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps mix water and oil in creams and cleansers, with a low risk of irritation.
Irritation
low
Source
synthetic