Ceteareth-100
AKA “Ceteareth-100, PEG-100 Cetearyl Ether
Synthetic
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Ingredient Facts
Ceteareth-100
AKA: PEG-100 Cetearyl Ether
Synthetic · Cleansing | Surfactant - Cleansing · EWG: 4
Synthetic
Cleanser
Plant Oil
Synthetic
Not Clean
A gentle plant-based cleanser that helps remove dirt and oil while keeping your skin soft and clean.
CAS #
68439-49-6
Form
Liquid
Synthetic
Botanical. Typically derived from coconut, palm kernel, or soybean oils as the starting material. Produced through ethoxylation, where ethylene oxide is chemically bonded to cetearyl alcohol.
Function
Cleansing | Surfactant - Cleansing
Benefits
Removes Impurities
Cleansing Surfactant
Traditional Use
Developed in the mid-20th century as a synthetic polyethylene glycol-based emulsifier. Created to improve stability and texture in cosmetic formulations, replacing traditional plant-based and animal-derived emulsifiers.
Skin Types
all-skin-types
Best For
Target
General
Melanin-Rich Skin
Suitable
Pregnancy Safe
Yes
EWG Score4
CIR Safety Findings
medical-approval, all-shades-safe, Not a Sensitizer
Concentration Guide
Industry reports use up to 16.0% across all product types. Source: CIR Safety Assessment (CIR Seq 581).
Regulatory Status
USApermitted
EUrestricted
JAPANrestricted
CANADArestricted
Verified Feb 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR