Ingredient library

✓ Effective nonionic emulsifier for stable oil-in-water emulsions✓ Improves product spreadability and texture

Laureth-23

A polyethylene glycol ether of lauryl alcohol with 23 ethylene oxide units, used as a nonionic emulsifier and surfactant in serums and creams.

EmulsifyingSurfactant

⚠ Generally safe at cosmetic concentrations; may cause mild irritation in very sensitive individuals

EmulsifyingSurfactantCleansing

Laureth-7

A polyethylene glycol ether of lauryl alcohol with 7 ethylene oxide units, functioning as a mild nonionic surfactant and emulsifier in cleansers and emulsions.

✓ Mild emulsifier and surfactant used to stabilize formulations✓ Contributes to smooth product texture

⚠ Low irritation potential at standard cosmetic use levels

emulsifiersurfactantsolubilizer

Laureth-8

A polyethylene glycol ether of lauryl alcohol with 8 ethylene oxide units, functioning as an emulsifier and solubilizer in cosmetic creams, lotions, and cleansers.

✓ Effective emulsifier for oil-in-water emulsions at moderate HLB✓ Helps solubilize oil-soluble ingredients in aqueous formulas✓ Improves texture and spreadability of creams

⚠ PEG-derived; may contain trace 1,4-dioxane impurities depending on manufacturing; generally considered safe at cosmetic use levels

surfactantskin-conditioningantistatic

Lauryl Betaine

LAURYL BETAINE

A C12 alkyl betaine (amphoteric surfactant) used as a mild co-surfactant in cleansers and emulsions. Reduces irritation of anionic surfactants and improves skin feel.

✓ Gentle amphoteric surfactant✓ Improves foam quality and mildness✓ Conditioning feel

+ Sodium Lauroyl Hydrolyzed Silk+ Glycolipids

CleansingSurfactantFoaming

Lauryl Glucoside

A mild nonionic alkyl polyglucoside surfactant derived from glucose and lauryl alcohol, widely used in gentle cleansers and personal care formulations.

✓ Mild, biodegradable surfactant gentle enough for sensitive skin✓ Good foaming and cleansing performance at low concentrations

⚠ Very low irritation potential; well-tolerated by most skin types

surfactantfoam-boosterskin-conditioning

Lauryl Hydroxysultaine

LAURYL HYDROXYSULTAINE

An amphoteric sulfobetaine surfactant from lauryl alcohol. Very gentle and compatible with ionic surfactants. Boosts foam and improves skin feel in cleansers. Used in Curel's foaming facial wash.

✓ Amphoteric surfactant — gentle and conditioning✓ Good foam boosting✓ Compatible with all other surfactant types

+ Sodium Lauroyl Aspartate+ Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate

Myristyl Glucoside

A nonionic alkyl glucoside surfactant derived from myristyl alcohol and glucose, used as a mild emulsifier and co-emulsifier in skincare formulations.

✓ Mild, skin-compatible emulsifier derived from sugar and fatty alcohol✓ Supports stable emulsion formation✓ Good tolerability for sensitive skin

⚠ Generally non-irritating; well tolerated at cosmetic use levels

Octyldodeceth-16

A nonionic surfactant used to solubilize oils into water-based formulas.

✓ Helps blend oil and water

emulsifiersurfactantsolubilizer

Oleth-10

A polyethoxylated (10 EO units) ether of oleyl alcohol, used as a nonionic emulsifier and solubilizer in cosmetic emulsions and cleansers.

✓ Helps blend water and oil phases in emulsions✓ Improves formula stability and texture

⚠ Ethoxylated ingredient; may contain trace 1,4-dioxane impurities depending on manufacturing quality⚠ Can be mildly irritating at high concentrations

Oleth-3

A polyethoxylated (3 EO units) ether of oleyl alcohol with a low HLB value, used as a co-emulsifier in cosmetic formulations to assist water-in-oil stability.

✓ Low HLB emulsifier for water-in-oil type systems✓ Assists in blending hydrophilic and lipophilic components

⚠ Ethoxylated ingredient; possible trace 1,4-dioxane impurities⚠ Low HLB may cause instability in oil-in-water emulsions if used alone

emulsifiersurfactantpH-adjuster

Oleth-3 Phosphate

A phosphate ester of oleth-3 (polyethoxylated oleyl alcohol) used as an anionic co-emulsifier and surfactant in cosmetic emulsions, often combined with oleth-3.

✓ Anionic co-emulsifier that aids emulsion stability✓ Can contribute mild buffering capacity

⚠ Ethoxylated phosphate ester; possible trace 1,4-dioxane impurities⚠ Potential irritation at high concentrations

emulsifiersurfactantsolubilizer

Oleth-5

A polyethoxylated (5 EO units) ether of oleyl alcohol with intermediate HLB, used as a nonionic emulsifier and co-solubilizer in cosmetic formulations.

✓ Intermediate HLB emulsifier for flexible emulsion systems✓ Assists solubilization of lipophilic actives

⚠ Ethoxylated ingredient; possible trace 1,4-dioxane impurities

PCA Ethyl Cocoyl Arginate

A cationic surfactant derived from L-arginine, coconut fatty acid, and PCA (a natural moisturizing factor component) that functions as a mild antimicrobial, conditioner, and antistatic agent suitable for sensitive skin.

surfactantantimicrobialantistatichumectant

✓ Mild cationic surfactant with antimicrobial properties✓ Conditions skin and hair with low irritation potential✓ Biodegradable amino acid-derived ingredient

emulsifyingsolubilizingskin-conditioning

PEG-10 Isostearate

PEG-10 Isostearate is a polyethylene glycol ester of isostearic acid (C18 branched-chain fatty acid). It is used as a co-emulsifier and solubilizer in cleansing balms, where its hydrophilic PEG chain and lipophilic isostearate chain assist in balm-to-emulsion phase inversion during rinsing. The branched isostearic acid chain maintains the product in a semi-solid (rather than waxy crystalline) state at room temperature.

✓ Mild PEG ester of isostearic acid that functions as a co-emulsifier and solubilizer in cleansing balm formulations✓ Isostearic acid's branched chain prevents crystallization at room temperature, keeping the balm soft and spreadable✓ Contributes to the rinsability of anhydrous cleansing formulas alongside the primary emulsifier

⚠ Ethoxylated ingredient — trace 1,4-dioxane risk; cosmetic-grade meets regulatory purity standards

+ PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate+ Cetyl Ethylhexanoate+ Synthetic Wax

PEG-100 Stearate

A high-polyethylene-glycol-chain ester of stearic acid used as a mild, nonionic emulsifier to stabilize oil-in-water cosmetic emulsions.

✓ Stabilizes oil-in-water emulsions✓ Improves spreadability and texture of creams and lotions

⚠ PEG compounds may contain trace 1,4-dioxane impurities; well-managed in modern manufacturing

PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate

PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate is a PEG-modified glyceryl ester of isostearic acid used as the primary emulsifier in cleansing balms and cleansing oils. It enables the characteristic phase-inversion behavior of balm cleansers: the anhydrous product is oil-continuous (dissolves makeup/sebum), then upon contact with water it self-emulsifies into a milky wash-off emulsion. Its medium-chain PEG20 hydrophilic portion provides good rinseability while the triisostearate portion anchors in the oil phase.

emulsifyingcleansingsolubilizing

✓ Primary self-emulsifying surfactant in cleansing balms: forms an oil-continuous phase that converts to a milky emulsion upon contact with water, allowing the balm to rinse away while carrying dissolved sebum and makeup✓ Provides elegant, non-stripping cleansing — the anhydrous oil phase lifts lipophilic impurities without requiring a separate rinse-off micellar step✓ HLB value suited for creating the water-in-oil → oil-in-water phase inversion characteristic of cleansing balms (similar to PEG-20 Glyceryl Laurate but optimized for richer/more emollient textures)

⚠ Ethoxylated ingredient — theoretical trace contamination with 1,4-dioxane (EU-regulated); cosmetic-grade material meets purity standards⚠ PEG-based surfactants can disrupt the stratum corneum barrier if used in rinse-off products that are left on for extended periods; standard use in cleansing balms is safe

+ Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride+ Cetyl Ethylhexanoate+ Ethylhexyl Palmitate

PEG-22/Dodecyl Glycol Copolymer

A copolymer of PEG-22 and dodecyl glycol used as a nonionic emulsifier and solubilizer in creams and serums.

✓ Stabilizes oil-in-water emulsions✓ Solubilizes oils in water-based formulas

PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate

A PEG-modified dipolyhydroxystearate emulsifier used to stabilize water-in-oil emulsions, commonly found in sunscreens and high-SPF formulations.

emulsifier

✓ Stabilizes water-in-oil emulsions used in sunscreens and rich creams

PEG-40 Castor Oil

A polyethylene glycol ester of castor oil (non-hydrogenated) used as a nonionic emulsifier and solubilizer in cosmetic formulas.

✓ Solubilizes oils and fragrance into water-based formulas✓ Stabilizes emulsions

PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil

A polyethylene glycol derivative of hydrogenated castor oil used as a mild, nonionic emulsifier and solubilizer in cosmetic formulas.

✓ Solubilizes oils and fragrance into water-based formulas✓ Stabilizes emulsions

PEG-40 Stearate

A PEG-40 ester of stearic acid used as a mild nonionic emulsifier to stabilize oil-in-water cosmetic emulsions.

✓ Stabilizes oil-in-water emulsions in cleansers and moisturizers✓ Improves texture and spreadability

⚠ PEG compounds may contain trace 1,4-dioxane impurities; well-managed in modern manufacturing

PEG-45 Hydrogenated Castor Oil

A polyethoxylated hydrogenated castor oil (45 EO units) used as a nonionic emulsifier and solubilizer for oils and fragrance in cosmetics.

✓ Solubilizes oils and fragrance into water-based formulas✓ Stabilizes oil-in-water emulsions

⚠ PEG derivatives may contain trace 1,4-dioxane in poorly refined materials

PEG-50 Hydrogenated Castor Oil Triisostearate

A triisostearate ester of PEG-50 hydrogenated castor oil used as a nonionic emulsifier and solubilizer in lotions and skin-conditioning products.

✓ Stabilizes emulsions✓ Solubilizes lipophilic ingredients in aqueous formulas

PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate

A PEGylated propylene glycol oleate ester used as a mild nonionic emulsifier and solubilizer in cleansers and lotions.