Undeceth-11

What is Undeceth-11?

Undeceth-11 is a synthetic nonionic surfactant produced by ethoxylating undecyl alcohol with 11 units of ethylene oxide, resulting in a compound with both hydrophilic and lipophilic properties. It belongs to the alkyl polyoxyethylene ether family and is widely incorporated into rinse-off products like shampoos, body washes, and facial cleansers, as well as leave-on items such as lotions and creams. In formulations, it lowers surface tension to facilitate wetting and spreading, enables the formation of stable emulsions by bridging oil and water phases, supports gentle cleansing through micelle formation, and imparts a smooth, non-greasy texture by conditioning the skin barrier. Its balanced chain length provides effective performance without excessive foaming or residue.

Comedogenic Rating 0/5 Low risk of clogging pores

EWG Safety Rating 1 View on EWG →

Roles in Formulation

This ingredient serves the following purposes in cosmetic formulations:

Emollient

Softens and smooths skin by filling in surface roughness and improving slip; can also help reduce moisture loss when paired with occlusives and film formers.

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.

Skin conditioning agent

Maintains skin softness, smoothness, and flexibility.

Benefits

Provides emollient effects to soften and smooth skin texture.

Functions as a surfactant to support effective yet mild cleansing.

Acts as an emulsifying agent for stable, uniform product textures.

Who It's For

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

Who May Benefit	Who Should Avoid
Individuals seeking gentle foaming cleansers for daily use.	Those with rare sensitivities to ethoxylated compounds.
People with normal to dry skin needing added smoothness.	People preferring formulations without synthetic surfactants.
Users of emulsions like lotions benefiting from stable blends.	Individuals experiencing irritation from similar nonionic agents.

Safety Notes

Assessed as safe for cosmetic use by expert reviews.
Shows low potential for comedogenicity and irritation.

Frequently Asked Questions about Undeceth-11

What does Undeceth-11 do in products?

It serves as an emollient to soften skin, surfactant for cleansing, and emulsifier for mixing phases stably.

Is Undeceth-11 safe for sensitive skin?

It has low irritation potential based on safety assessments, making it suitable for many skin types.

Can Undeceth-11 cause breakouts?

With a comedogenic rating of zero, it is unlikely to contribute to pore clogging.