Ceteareth-3

What is Ceteareth-3?

Ceteareth-3 belongs to the ceteareth family of ingredients, which are polyethylene glycol ethers of cetearyl alcohol—a blend of cetyl and stearyl alcohols derived from natural fatty sources like coconut or palm. Produced through ethoxylation, a process adding ethylene oxide units, it functions as a nonionic surfactant with three ethylene oxide groups, making it hydrophilic yet compatible with oils. Commonly found in shampoos, body washes, facial cleansers, lotions, and creams, it lowers surface tension to remove dirt and oils effectively while stabilizing emulsions. By forming micelles, it traps impurities for rinsing and creates a protective film at oil-water interfaces, ensuring product uniformity and preventing separation for smooth textures in rinse-off and leave-on formulas.

Comedogenic Rating 0/5 Low risk of clogging pores
EWG Safety Rating 1-3 View on EWG →

Roles in Formulation

This ingredient serves the following purposes in cosmetic formulations:

Surfactant
Lowers surface tension to enable cleansing, emulsifying, and foaming; central to shampoos, body washes, and many emulsions and micellar systems.
Emulsifying agent
Enables stable mixing of oil and water phases by forming an interfacial film, helping create lotions, creams, and cleansers with consistent texture.

Benefits

Supports effective yet mild cleansing by reducing surface tension to lift away dirt and excess oils.

Helps form stable emulsions, blending water and oil phases for consistent cream and lotion textures.

Contributes to light foaming action in washes, enhancing user experience without harshness.

Who It's For

A quick guide for who this ingredient may suit (and who should be cautious).

Who May Benefit Who Should Avoid
People seeking gentle daily cleansers for normal or combination skin types.
Those with known allergies to ethoxylated compounds or fatty alcohols.
Individuals preferring stable lotions and creams that maintain texture over time.
People preferring completely natural, non-synthetic ingredient profiles.
Users of shampoos and body washes wanting reliable lather and rinse properties.
Individuals sensitive to surfactants, even mild ones, based on personal patch testing.

Safety Notes

  • Rated low concern by safety assessments, suitable for typical cosmetic use levels.
  • Non-comedogenic, unlikely to clog pores in formulations.

Frequently Asked Questions about Ceteareth-3

What is Ceteareth-3 used for in cosmetics?

It acts as a surfactant for cleansing and an emulsifier to mix oil and water in products like shampoos and lotions.

Is Ceteareth-3 safe for sensitive skin?

It shows low irritation in safety evaluations, but patch testing is advised for sensitive individuals.

Does Ceteareth-3 cause breakouts?

With a comedogenic rating of 0, it is not associated with pore clogging.